Vegetables are cutting deeper into the wallets of consumers, even as they are arriving in depleted quantities.
Most vegetable varieties are being sold at exorbitant prices compared to the rates a month ago.
Besides tomato, bitter gourd, ribbed gourd, brinjal, raw plantain, carrot and beetroot, all varieties of leafy vegetables are expensive now.
The prices of French beans are hovering anywhere between Rs. 45 and Rs. 70 per kg, depending on the supply on a particular day.
“French beans have become unattainable, while field beans have altogether disappeared from the market. Last week, I bought French beans at Rs.72 from the Saroornagar Rythu Bazar. Lemons are two or three for Rs.10, while raw mangoes are Rs. 12 apiece. Tomatoes, too, have become very expensive,” says Venkata Lakshmi, a homemaker.
The price rise is anywhere between 10 per cent to 40 per cent and is proving to be a burden on the common man. Tomato is available at Rs. 25 per kg, while carrot is not descending from Rs. 40 in the open market. Brinjal, too, is being sold at anywhere between Rs. 20 and Rs. 25 per kg.
Advancing summer
Raw plantain, which was available at three for Rs. 20, are now Rs. 8 each, even in Rythu Bazars.
Officials attribute the price rise to short supply and increasing demand in view of the advancing summer.
“We are receiving about 100 to 150 quintals less than usual quantity per day at Rythu Bazars. At the same time, consumers visiting us are increasing by the day due to the high prices in the open market. The arrival of some vegetable types has altogether stopped,” says V. Ramana Rao, Deputy Director, Marketing Department.
Rythu Bazars in the city usually get vegetables from Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda districts, while some varieties arrive from Krishna district, too.
