Vegetable prices surge in Mumbai

The prices of vegetables in Mumbai have more than doubled from what they were in December and January. The surge in prices is the result of a rise in temperatures across the state over the last couple of weeks.

The prices of vegetables in Mumbai have more than doubled from what they were in December and January. The surge in prices is the result of a rise in temperatures across the state over the last couple of weeks.

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In the retail market, prices of most vegetables such as tomato, ladyfinger, brinjal, cauliflower and cabbage are now in the range of Rs20-Rs60 up from Rs10-Rs40 in December.

With the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) wholesale market in Vashi witnessing a drop in the quantity and quality of vegetable arrivals, the price rise in the wholesale market has been almost 200%. The situation is slightly better in the retail market as retailers had not cut prices in December, when there was an abundant supply of crops.

“A limited quantity of vegetables is coming into the wholesale market and often their quality is poor. Due to the short supply, prices of good quality vegetables have gone up,” said Rakesh Gupta, a retailer from the Vashi market.

The sudden price rise is expected to spoil grocery budgets.

“The hike has taken away whatever little advantage we had of the falling rates,” said Jhumur Ghosh, a homemaker from Koparkhairane.