Vegetable prices soar in the city

PUNE: Due to soaring temperature, the supply of leafy vegetables like ‘shepu’ (Anethum graveolens), methi (fenugreek), spinach, coriander leaves and spring onions has reduced by 20 to 25 per cent. The shortage of supply has increased the prices of these vegetables. Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has been expecting the prices of leafy vegetables to rise by 10 to 15 per cent by the end of May. The prices of tomatoes have also increased due to the dip in the supply.

However, the consumers can heave a sigh of relief as the prices of vegetables like onions, potatoes, garlic and ginger has remained stagnant. 

“Leafy vegetables usually come from places like Sangli, Satara, Solapur and parts of Pune district and due to the rising temperature and water scarcity, the production reduces. That reflects on the prices also, as there was a slight increase in the price. For example, the wholesale prices of coriander leaves bundle have increased from Rs 13 to Rs 15. There are chances of a hike in the prices of other leafy vegetables too by the end of this month,” said Vegetable and Fruit Head at APMC Baba Bibwe. 

“There was also a 40 per cent reduction in the supply of tomatoes in last 10 days, owing to which the wholesale rates of tomatoes have increased from Rs 14 to Rs 16 per kg. Due to summer heat, we are expecting a further increase of two to four per cent in the prices,” added Bibwe.

According to APMC officials, there was also a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in the supply of vegetables such as bitter gourd, bottle gourd and cucumber, which might affect the prices in the near future owing to the difference in supply and demand of these vegetables. Supply of raw mangoes has reduced to 40 per cent in the last 10 days and wholesale prices have surged from Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg.

Bibwe further said, “Earlier, every day four to five trucks of raw mangoes were coming and now it has reduced to one to two trucks. There was a 40 per cent reduction in supply and also the wholesale prices have increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30. Normally, in the month of May when ripe mangoes start coming, there is a slight slump in the supply of raw mangoes.”

“The fluctuation in the prices of leafy and green vegetables will continue till the onset of monsoon. Mostly, it is expected by August but it depends on the amount of rainfall received in the month of June and July,” added Bibwe.

President of Vegetable Growers Association of India Shriram Gahave said, “During this time, there is water scarcity, which impacts the production of leafy vegetables. Ideally for leafy vegetables, temperature required is between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius whereas the temperature is hovering between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, which damages the crops and further reduces the supply.”

“The flowering of green vegetables such as cucumber, bitter gourd, tomato, bottle gourd needed a temperature of 30 to 34 degrees Celsius whereas the current temperature, which is around 40 degrees burns a lot of crops. This reduces the production of green vegetables. This continues till mid-June, once the monsoon starts, the situation is better and yield will improve,” added Gahave.