Veggie prices soar, Excess rainfall damage to crops
Veggie prices soar, Excess rainfall
damage to crop
Rising food inflation has been a hassle for consumers and policymakers alike in India since the beginning of the ongoing calendar year. Oil and gas prices have been on an uptrend. The unseasonal rains have only added to the troubles for India’s farmers and consumers.
Owing to excess rainfall in October causing damage to crop, the new average retail prices for common garden vegetables have now shot up to Rs 120-140 per kg from Rs 60-80 earlier in metros including Mumbai. However Some traders attribute the hike owing to rising fuel and transportation costs.
Retailers attribute the inclement weather in the past to the increased prices of vegetables. According to vegetable vendors, the vegetables lying in the field got rotten due to incessant rains. This condition of the market has happened due to the shortage of the vegetables that could not reach the market and the general public.
“Tomatoes have wilted in all growing areas (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat) due to heavy rainfall. Good red fruit costs Rs 40-50 in wholesale so naturally retail rates are Rs 60-80. The situation will improve only after the new crop arrives mid-November. Same is the case with other vegetables. Only 20-30% of the current crop is of good quality.
Sources reveal that in Andheri Lokhandwala, tomatoes were sold for Rs 60 per kg on Tuesday. Spinach for Rs 50 per bunch, lady finger Rs 120 per kg and gavar (cluster beans) Rs 160. Pointed gourd, or parwal, at Rs 120 per kilo in Matunga, which is one of the costliest retail markets in the city.
Cauliflower, usually sold for
Rs 16-18 is now costs Rs 60 in the wholesale market. Earlier lemon was available for around 50 paise- Rs 1, and now shelling Rs 4-5/-
Reportedly Multiple farmers across India are facing crop losses. This means that food prices, already at their highest in over two years, could stay elevated, instead of tapering after the harvest as they usually do. India’s millions of rural poor will be particularly affected, hit by both the bad crop and the high prices.
Along with vegetables, grains, the prices of milk, pulses and edible oils, which account for over a quarter of the overall consumer price index, are rising and likely to remain high in coming months.
The government, which is facing key state elections later this year, will be under pressure to respond to the rural distress.
Last month, India extended the world’s biggest free food programme for the poor by three months to December but traders say the programme cannot be prolonged for much longer since food stocks are dwindling.
News Input K.V.Raman
