Spurt in prices of vegetables as supplies shrink

The retail price of drumsticks went over Rs. 200 a kg in Kochi on Monday pointing to a general spurt in vegetable prices triggered by what wholesalers said was a drop in volume of arrivals here.

Data from Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, which tracks daily prices, said that drumsticks sold for Rs. 220 a kg in the retail market on Monday.

The vegetable was selling at Rs. 210 a kg in the wholesale market.

The price of drumsticks has gone up dramatically from the previous month level of Rs. 65 a kg in the retail market.

A wholesaler here said that with a shortage of supplies, drumstick prices have stood out among other vegetables. He said that there has been a drop in vegetable arrivals at Ernakulam market. The volumes are down 10 to 15 per cent and the shortage is mostly of winter vegetables.

He said that sales were down about 20 per cent largely because of the higher prices. Small-time retailers are seen resisting these price levels, he said.

The price of vegetable cowpea continues to rule firm at Rs. 56 a kg in the retail market. Ladies’ finger was selling for Rs 44 a kg in the retail market. Beetroot and carrot prices are up at Rs. 52 and Rs. 48 a kg respectively in the retail market.

Tapioca price has gone up to Rs. 22 a kg in the retail market while the price of nendran bananas is Rs. 42 a kg in the retail market.

Vegetables in the higher price bracket are French beans, ginger, green chilli, tomato, big onions and ash gourds.