Vegetable, fruit prices remain high, traders blame it on rain

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

Vegetable and fruit prices in the city continue to remain high because of persistent rainfall.

The wholesale prices of onion, a common ingredient in every household, are between Rs 28 and Rs 30 per kg as compared to Rs 10 to Rs 14 per kg a month ago. Traders say rain has affected the supply causing a sharp rise in the prices.

Retailers are selling onions between Rs 30 and Rs 34 per kg in the Sector 26 grain market. The prices are expected to rise further.

“The entire onion supply is coming from Nashik in Maharashtra as the local crop has been affected due to the monsoon,” said Darshan Singh, a wholesaler.

“Everyone in the supply chain has been affected as a result. Suppliers have to cover their losses due to the shortfall in supply. There are costs of freight, labour and taxes. Hence, the prices will go up,” he said.

The prices of tomato have normalised after touching Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg in July. The wholesale prices of tomato are between Rs 40 and Rs 44 per kg while the retail prices range from Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg.

Iqbal Singh, a wholesaler, said, “The situation as far as tomatoes are concerned is better than last month. We are still getting the supply only from Himachal Pradesh. It will take some time for the prices to stabilise further.”

“During the monsoon, there is a surge in the prices of perishable vegetables. In the absence of proper storage facilities, some crop damage is inevitable,” he said.

The prices of vegetables such as cauliflower, bell pepper, coriander and peas have increased manifold in the past two weeks.

The price of cauliflower has risen from Rs 25 per kg to Rs 50 per kg. Bell peppers are being sold at Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg. The price of coriander has increased from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg to Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg.