Greens lose their sheen: Veggie prices dip in Mumbai due to demonetisation

The absence of currencies has brought down the prices of vegetables and flowers in the city.

The absence of currencies has brought down the prices of vegetables and flowers in the city.

Vegetable vendors have stopped taking Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes. (HT File Photo)

A case in point could be tomato, which is being sold at Rs20 a kg, lower than last week’s Rs25. The price of red chillies has also come down to Rs60 a kg, from the Rs70 before demonetisation.

The rate of onion has dropped to Rs20 a kg from Rs25, while the rate of cauliflower has decreased to Rs60 from Rs65 a kg. The rate of capsicum has come down to Rs30 a kg from Rs40, while the rate of bottle gourd has now come down to Rs20 a kg, from Rs30.

Vegetable vendors have stopped taking Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes. The price of green peas has gone down substantially to Rs 100 a kg.

According to a vegetable seller in Parel, there has also been a decrease in the number of vehicles coming from the APMC market. “There is a significant drop in the stock from the wholesale market,” said the trader.

“Last week, the sales dropped by more than 50 % owing to the cash transactions. It is normalizing now,” said Ashok Valunj, former director, APMC.

The marigold flower is being sold for Rs35 a kg from Rs40.

Adarsh Shetty, president, Indian Hotels Restaurant Association (AHAR), said hotels are being offered discounts by vegetables vendors. “Our business has come down by more than 50%. Our own stock, too, is lying unused,” said Shetty.