Heavy rainfall hits kitchens: Expect high veggie prices till Oct 1st week

Jaipur: The recent heavy rainfall across Rajasthan has led to a significant rise in the prices of vegetables, making the financial burden on citizens heavier. Traders at various wholesale markets across the city attributed the price hike to a persisting shortage in supply due to the rains. They have also said the upward trend in prices will continue till the supply stabilises with the improvement in weather conditions.Consumers have to contend with higher prices for vegetables till the first week of Oct, they said.
Ratan Singh, a farmer from Takrada village near Chommu on the outskirts of Jaipur, said the heavy rainfall prevented most vegetable growers from reaching Muhana Mandi on time, resulting in damage to their produce, especially tomatoes, during transportation. Due to the delays, the vegetables often reached the markets in the afternoon, having already suffered damage by that time.


“The prices of all vegetables have risen by 25% to 30%. While tomatoes were available at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg in Aug, they are now priced at Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg in the retail marketplaces. No vegetable is available for Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg. such high prices will continue till Oct 15,” said Shiv Shankar Sharma, a wholesale dealer at Muhana Mandi.
Incessant rainfall in Kota division has also led to the price of garlic soaring. Naeem Qureshi, a wholesale dealer of onion and garlic, said garlic, previously available at Rs 120 to Rs 140 per kg, is now being sold at Rs 200 to Rs 280 per kg due to the reduced supply from Kota, Jhalawar and Baran. “Vegetable crops are harvested every week. Now, with the monsoon ending, supply will stabilise by the last week of Sept. There should be a dip in prices by the first week of Oct,” said Pappu Saini, a wholesaler at Hansanpura Mandi.