Vegetable prices in Pune go up by 10-15% due to delayed monsoon

The delayed monsoon has also advertently affected the inward and outward flow of food and vegetables in the city.

Due to the delayed monsoons in the city, prices of foods and vegetables have started increasing steadily over last few days. Prices of perishable vegetables including leafy vegetables like cabbages and cauliflowers have already gone up and is currently trading at a higher rate than that of last week. According to the agricultural produce market committee (APMC), delayed monsoon usually causes prices to increase.

The prices are expected to normalise within a week as monsoon is expected to reach the coastal regions of Maharashtra in a few days. (HT REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

With the monsoon slowing down in the city, the prices of vegetables are expected to increase even further. The south-west monsoon, which has been delayed by over a week now, is slowly progressing northwards. The monsoon has advanced into most parts of country except the coastal region of Maharashtra on Wednesday. The rainfall has been largely below average in most parts of the state with Pune and the neighbouring areas facing a rainfall deficit. The monsoon had reached the city only on June 12, causing the price of vegetables to go up.

“The monsoon will steadily progress this week as weather conditions are favourable. Scattered light rains are expected to continue over the coastal Maharashtra including Mumbai, with moderate showers at some places. However, heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected at Marathwada, mid-Maharashtra, north Konkan and Goa in the next 24 hours,” said Anup Sakpal, an official from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune.

“The delayed monsoon also advertently affects the inward and outward flow of food and vegetables from the city, with prices going up by 10-15 %. We are expecting the prices to come down soon as the monsoon will normalise soon,” said by Mr.Dilip Khaire, chairman of Pune Market Yard Committee.