Goa: Unseasonal rain leads to rise in vegetable prices

PANAJI: While the fluctuation in vegetable prices is a recurring scene, this year’s post monsoon rainfall is showing its impact on leafy greens as well, especially coriander, which has skyrocketed to Rs 50 for a single bunch.
Common kitchen ingredients such as tomato and onion are selling for Rs 60 and Rs 45 per kg, respectively. This is as opposed to these being sold for Rs 30 and Ra 25 per kg, respectively, two weeks ago. Coriander was selling at Rs 15 per bunch until some days ago.
“Our clients have started purchasing the items in smaller quantities to make do with the inflation. However, those celebrating Eid (on Tuesday) have been hit the hardest since tomatoes, onion and coriander are requisite ingredients in biryani,” a vegetable vendor at the Panaji market, Noorahmad Rumalwale, said.
Suppliers from Belagavi have not only the heavy rains to blame for spoilage of the crops, but even the damp weather that has been causing moisture incursion in fresh vegetables during transit.
“The consistently heavy rain in Belagavi was unexpected and has destroyed the onion crop thereby creating the shortage. But due to humidity, there is fungus risk to the crops. Even though we send fresh produce from Belagavi, due to climate change, by the time trucks reach Goa, the quality is affected,” vegetable supplier Vineet Bichu said.
In addition, there is serious shortage of vegetables in parts of Maharashtra as well, owing to which traders from there have turned to Belagavi as well to source their edible greens.
“The quality of stored onions in Maharashtra have been affected by the rain. There are agents from Mumbai that are picking up vegetables in bulk from the Belagavi market to supply in their markets. There is very little left to send to Goa as a result,” another vendor said.
Suppliers are of the opinion that it may take another month or so, for the fresh crop to be harvested and prices to normalise.