Vegetable prices in the Tricity have surged dramatically, with essentials like tomatoes and ladies’ fingers hitting unprecedented highs of Rs 80 to 90 per kg. Just a fortnight ago, tomatoes were a mere Rs 50 per kg.
Key Price Hikes:
Tomatoes: Now Rs 80-90/kg (from Rs 50/kg)
Ladies’ fingers (bhindi): Now Rs 80/kg (from Rs 30/kg)
Bottle gourd and pumpkin: Now Rs 60-80/kg (from Rs 30/kg and Rs 20/kg respectively)
Cauliflower: Now Rs 100/kg (from Rs 40/kg)
Capsicum: Now Rs 120/kg (from Rs 60/kg)
Ginger: Now Rs 250/kg (from Rs 80/kg)
Garlic: Now Rs 160/kg (from Rs 100/kg)
Onion: Now Rs 60/kg (from Rs 20/kg)
Potatoes: Now Rs 50/kg (from Rs 20/kg)
Peas: Now Rs 150/kg (from Rs 40-50/kg)
Cucumber: Now Rs 80/kg (from Rs 40/kg)
Reasons Behind Price Surge:
Heavy Rain: Vegetables from hilly regions like Nasik and Bangalore, essential suppliers to Tricity, have been hit by heavy rains, causing prices to triple or quadruple.
Crop Damage: Particularly in Muradabad, heavy rainfall has devastated tomato crops, leading to significant losses and reduced supply to neighboring states.
Local Impact: Farmers are witnessing tomatoes rotting in waterlogged fields, prompting them to abandon tomato cultivation for other crops. The Solan district, known for its high-quality tomatoes, has been severely affected, impacting supply across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
Conclusion: With rain continuing to affect vegetable production, relief from soaring prices seems unlikely in the near term, posing challenges for both consumers and farmers alike.