Maharashtra farmers’ strike: Prices of vegetables come down in Mumbai

Mumbai city news: Vendors said the supply of fruits had not been hit much owing to Ramzan

On the seventh day of the farmers’ strike in Maharashtra, the prices of vegetables seem to have reduced, compared to prices over the past three days, which were steep owing to short supply.

The prices of vegetables had reduced at the Turbhe APMC market on Wednesday. (HT File Photo)

“Even though supply is still short, the prices have reduced. Customers had bought extra stock earlier. Few bought vegetables over the past three days owing to the rise in prices. Today, however, there has been a substantial increase in the supply, compared to the past few days,” said Gangadhar, a vegetable vendor from Matunga market.

Vendors at the APMC market in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, reported that supply had returned to normal and prices had reduced on Wednesday. (Bachchan Kumar/HT)

Ashok Walanj, APMC director who also represents the onion and potato market, said the market received 125 trucks carrying onions.

“Over the past few days, there was a shortage in supply. Today, however, we received a good supply of onions and potatoes. We got onions from all over Maharashtra except Nashik. We also got 50 trucks of potatoes. Prices are low,” he said.

Vendors said the supply of fruits had not been hit much. “As it is the holy month of Ramzan, the middlemen cannot afford to stop supplying fruits. They have somehow managed to deliver a certain quantity of fruits daily. There has been some shortage, but our sup,” said Prakash, a fruit vendor at Matunga market.

The supply of fruits to Navi Mumbai’s markets was not affected much during the statewide farmers’ strike. (Bachchan Kumar/HT)

The strike took an ugly turn in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday after protestors took to violence and police had to resort to open firing, in which five farmers were killed.

As many as 350 trucks carrying vegetables arrived at the Navi Mumbai APMC market on Wednesday. Only 15 of these were from Maharashtra. About 320 vehicles supplied the market with vegetables on Tuesday.

“Parts of Maharashtra are only supplying us with minuscule quantities. However, there are arrivals from outside the state, which are taking care of the demand,” said wholesaler Ganesh Pingle. He added that prices have not dropped much as supply is yet to return to normal in wholesale markets. In retail markets, however, prices have reduced.

Prices in retail markets are expected to drop in the next few days. (Bachchan Kumar/HT)

Mukund Pawar, a retailer, said prices may reduce over the next few days owing to steady supply. “There should be a further drop in prices by Thursday.”