Food grain prices rise, traders blame steep transport charges

Prices of food grains and pulses have risen in the past couple of months while those of vegetables have fluctuated. Traders blame the rise in transport charges and changing preference of farmers for the situation.

Prices of food grains and pulses have risen in the past couple of months while those of vegetables have fluctuated. Traders blame the rise in transport charges and changing preference of farmers for the situation.

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The market has witnessed a rise in the prices of toor daal, urad daal, moong dal, chana daal, rajma, chana, turmeric powder, rice, wheat and sugar.

The prices of vegetables have been fluctuating, with brinjals, green peas and gavar prices falling and tomato, potato, methi and chavli prices rising.

According to Sharad Maru, president of the Grain, Rice, Oilseeds Merchant Association, “The price of some of the food grains has gone up as the transport charges have gone up. The hike in fuel charges has had a major impact on the market as the transporters have increased their rates.”

Added Maru, “Also, several farmers have shifted to other crops for better profits. This leads to reduced production of the crop that they earlier cultivated.”

Stated Maru, “As the demand will remain the same, the prices could go up further.