Vegetable prices are expected to go up further in the next few weeks in view of the continuing spell of drought this time.
Belagavi district is known for growing fresh vegetables and is a major exporter to neighbouring States such as Goa. The shortage of water, however, may hit the production in the coming days leading to further increase in prices.
The price of tomato and potato per kg is between Rs. 20 and Rs. 30 now. The price of brinjal, green chilli and beatroot are Rs. 40 per kg in the retail market. The price of vegetable such as ladies finger, cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, beans, etc. is not less than Rs. 60 per kg. Leafy vegetables such as spinach and methi are being sold at Rs. 10 for about 200 grams, while red onions are sold at Rs. 20 to Rs. 30 and white onions between Rs. 20 and Rs. 35 a kg. The prevailing price of the Indian green beans is somewhere between Rs. 80 and Rs.100 per kg.
Both retailers and commission agents say that the main reasons for the price rise are poor rainfall and shortage of groundwater. They say that the prices might go up further from next month and more so during summer.
The most affected are the poor and the middle class. Some have even cut down consumption of vegetables.
