Vegetable prices soar as supplies shrink

The vegetable prices have increased several notches in the last few days leaving citizens in a quandary. Within a few days, the prices have doubled for certain vegetables. Tomatoes that cost Rs 43 last week is sold for Rs 55 on Tuesday.

This is the third time this year that the prices of vegetables increased prompting an overall increase in eatables especially veggies like green chilies, ridge gourd, tomatoes and French beans.

Padma Harsha, Secretary of Bowenpally Rythu Bazaar, said, "Vegetable price hike in Hyderabad is due to importing produce from the neighboring states as the demand of vegetables is high during mid-season, farmers still await for produce for further 15 days. In Telangana we get the next crop in July, tentatively in the month of July or August the prices will see a dip."

"The demand for vegetables and poor supply at the same time creates an adverse impact on price of the produce,"according to K Ramesh,Statistical Assistant, Rythu Bazaar Erragadda.

According to the Consumer Price Index of Agriculture Market Committee, Bowenpally, the price of French beans rose toRs 110 per kilogram, a rise of Rs 30 within a week. It was sold at Rs80 last week, Ridge Gourd costs Rs 69 per kg where previous week it was Rs 50 per kg and raw bananas takes is Rs 7 per piece in the market.

Lekha Prasad, a resident of Mettuguda, said, "The sudden rise in prices has hit us hard. The new academic year too is about to begin and we have a lot of payments to make. I carry Rs 300 to the vegetable market but I could not by anything."

Sharing her angst, Mallika, a resident of Kukatpally, said, "It is the duty of the government to regulate prices. We have just paid the property tax and the rise in vegetable prices has spoilt the budget."

Mohammed Mujeeb Uddin Ahmed, State Officer, Rythu Bazar Falaknuma said, "Except for green leafy vegetables, the price of most has increased between Rs 20 to 40."