Residents resent hike in vegetable prices

Even after the holy period of Shradha, fresh vegetables remain out of common man’s reach as prices look up due to varied reasons.

Prices of dry vegetables such as garlic and onion are not an exception to inflation, even though these are not served generally during sand Navratri.

Imbalance between arrival and consumption due to increased consumption during ceremonial events, prolongation of hot weather, scarcity of rains and Tela (an aphid) attack were cited as major reasons behind the unprecedented hike in prices of vegetables.

The poor have started shying away from including veggies in their diet as prices of greens and relatively perishable salad items have started to soar again after maintaining on a lower side for a few weeks.

The common belief that rice, pulses and raw grains should be prohibited during the holy period of Sharad and Navratri has further worsened the situation as it increases consumption of the green vegetables.

Rajesh Jassa, a vegetable agent, said the prices may increase further as the weather has been predicted to be unfavourable for vegetables. The fall in demand of vegetables due to the cessation of Sharad is expected to be compensated due to the onset of festival season and weddings.

The impact is more considerable in retail markets, as retailers and vendors are quick to hike rates, whereas they take time to pass on the benefits of a decline in prices to customers.

A vegetable vendor, Lakshman Chand, said prices of almost all vegetables had increased considerably recently in wholesale, which led to hikes in prices in retail markets too. He said he was astonished that the zucchini (tori), which used to be available free of charge for the poor, had jumped from Rs 20 per kg to Rs 35 per kg in retail. He said garlic, presently available at Rs 500 per kg, was predicted to touch Rs 600 due to festival season. He said similarly, prices of tomato (Rs 250/kg), pea (Rs 100), radish (Rs 60) and cauliflower (Rs 90) have skyrocketed. He added wholesale and retail prices of pumpkin, lady finger and cucumber have almost doubled during the past few days.

Malerkotla Farmers’ Federation Chairman Mehmood Akhtar Shad said vegetable growers were the ultimate sufferers of the situation wherein yield and quality of the crops had been affected due to multiple reasons. He said, “Prolonged summer due to the global greenhouse effect, scarcity of rains, and ‘Kala Tela’ attacks have affected the vegetable growers.”