Vegetable prices soar higher than temperatures in Mahbubnagar

Mahbubnagar: The vegetable prices have gone skyrocketing in the district, thanks to the soaring temperatures. Particularly tomatoes, which were costing just Rs 10-15 a kg a month ago, are now priced at Rs 50-60 per kg.

"Earlier we used to see dynamic fluctuation of prices of onions. But this time, the tomatoes have replaced the onions as they are costing the highest in the market. As already the cost of okra, bitter gourd, brinjal and other vegetables are priced at Rs 35-45 on an average around the year, the tomato prices have risen all of a sudden hitting the common man," said Ratna Prabha, a resident of Jadcherla in Mahbubnagar district.

In fact, the major reason for high cost of tomatoes is due to low supply and high demand. With no water, the yield of production has drastically come down in Mahbubnagar. The areas surrounding Jadcherla like Gangapur, Nawabpet, Midjil, Timmajipet and Bhootpur used to supply tomatoes to Jadcherla and Mahbubnagar markets. However, the supplies from these areas has drastically fallen. In view of the above, the traders are now sourcing tomatoes from faraway places.

"We are forced to source the tomatoes from other districts like Wanaparthy, Gadwal and sometimes even from Kurnool. But even the supply from these areas is meagre and thus the prices are remaining high," said a trader Rama Krishna from Jadcherla market.

The vegetable prices in the market are expected to prevail until June second week if the situation persists. "The prices of vegetables will not be going to come down even after second week of June when the monsoons begin. Because by that time, the farmers usually start sowing the crop and it will take at least another two months for the prices to normalise," said Ramesh, a regular vegetable vender in Mahbubnagar.