After Maharashtra farmers’ protest, be prepared to pay double for veggies in Mumbai

Mumbai city news: The strike will affect the supply of vegetables and fruits to Mumbai region, but may not hit the supply of agricultural produce

While the Maharashtra farmers’ protest had little impact on the supplies on Thursday, it may hit the supplies in the wholesale market and push up vegetable prices in the retail market by almost 100% by Tuesday, said traders from the APMC market in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

The scene at APMC market in Vashi on Thursday. (Bachchan Kumar)

The strike will affect the supply of vegetables and fruits to Mumbai region, but may not hit the supply of agricultural produce.

Ganesh Pingle, former APMC director and vegetable wholesaler, said, “On an average, 450 trucks bring the supplies to the market daily. We got our usual supplies. The situation will be the same tomorrow too. The problem will start if the strike doesn’t end by Saturday. The wholesale markets are shut on Sunday. This could make matters worse.”

Ashok Walunj, former APMC director and onion and potato wholesaler, said, “We have enough stock to last a couple of days. Retailers could take advantage of the situation and hike the prices. We support farmers. Their issues should be resolved at the earliest.”

Sharad Pawar, a retailer in Turbhe, said, “There will be rationing of stock by wholesalers on Tuesday. We will get limited supply. This will definitely affect prices of vegetables. Also, the demand from panicking consumers will rise.”

Sunil Shingre, a farmer from wholesale market, said, “The government should waive our loans and also ensure that we get good prices for our crop. We have been taken for granted for long.”

Prakash Shahane, a vegetable vendor at Savarkar market in Dadar, said, “We are asking our regular consumers to buy a little more.”

Suryakant Mahadev, who has a shop at Dadar market, said there will be clarity on the situation by Saturday.

“We have received our daily quota of milk products and there is no problem now,” said Santosh Kadam, manager of the Naiguam branch of Apna Bazar.

Consumers seem to be quite confused over the issue. “I am planning to buy some extra supply as there is possibility that the prices may increase exponentially if the strike continues,” said Prince Mangan, a Vikhroli resident.