Mumbai: Monday dawned brighter than it has for the past few days at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Vashi, which saw the highest supply of vegetables and fruits coming in since the farmers’ agitation began on June 1. In all, 511 trucks arrived at the APMC, most of them from other States. The city also saw 30 tankers of milk coming in under police protection.
Though wholesale rates dropped marginally,the retailers continued to charge higher than usual. A majority of trucks was from Karnataka and Gujarat, while the rest came from Delhi, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Vegetables also came in from Sangli, Sangamner, parts of Pune and Akola, amounting to around 30% of total supply.
Kailash Tajne, president, vegetable market, APMC, said, “Monday’s supply was enough for all of Mumbai division, and prices have fallen. As there bandh today, we doubt vehicles will reach us on Tuesday, as they may have been blocked by agitators after entering the State. This might cause prices to rise again.”
He added, “Most vegetables usually sold here came in, except the ones produced locally. There is no controlling authority for the retail sector, so they continue to charge what they feel like and nobody can stop them. The common man suffers due to this.”
In all, 64 trucks of potato, 61 of onion and seven trucks bearing garlic arrived on Monday. Onion and potato prices hovered between ₹8 and ₹10, up from the usual ₹6 to ₹8, while garlic prices were unchanged at ₹40 to ₹50. Ashok Walunj, trader and former director, APMC, “The supply of potato and onion was sufficient but customers were less. People hesitate to buy as they feel the strike could be called off any time, leading to a fall in prices.”
The supply, however, came from traders and not farmers, Mr. Walunj said. “We too are sons of farmers and we understand their anguish. We hope the government does something soon for them.”
Prices at the fruit market remained unaffected as most of the supply comes from other States. There were reports that some trucks bearing fruits and headed to Navi Mumbai were blocked at Nashik, leading to apprehension of a shortage in supply on Tuesday
