Drought-like conditions have cast their shadow on the hearths of Bengalureans, with vegetable prices rising steadily over the past two weeks.
Confirming a 30% increase in vegetable prices in 10 days, RV Gopi, president, Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Merchants' Association, attributed it to the increase in temperature and scarcity of water.
"There is no water, given the lack of rain and depletion of groundwater. Additionally, the temperatures are touching 36-37 degrees Celsius this summer," he said. The rise in temperature results in vegetables rotting earlier than usual, affecting supply, Gopi added.
"Last week, the per-kg price of beans was Rs 40-50, but is now Rs 70-80, carrot is up from Rs 30-35 to Rs 45, beetroot was Rs 15-18 and is now Rs 25, and brinjal was Rs 20-25 but is now Rs 30-45," he said.
Potato and onion prices, though, are the same, while tomato prices have fallen from Rs 10-15 to Rs 7-8.
Ibraz Khan, a wholesaler in KR Market, said the price spiral may not dent business. "Prices of vegetables such as beans have increased because of the heat; tomato prices have fallen due to heavy production," he said. Prices have definitely gone up over the past 15 days due to a change in weather," said A M Mustaq Ahmed, a vegetable vendor in Russell Market. "Water scarcity during summer is a common issue which often leads to an increase in the price of vegetables. This year too, there has been an increase in the price of carrots, bottlegourd and capsicum. Carrots, which earlier sold for Rs 42, are now selling for Rs 50. The price of capsicum and bottlegourd is up by Rs 10 each," said an employee at a supermarket chain.
Confirming a 30% increase in vegetable prices in 10 days, RV Gopi, president, Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Merchants' Association, attributed it to the increase in temperature and scarcity of water.
"There is no water, given the lack of rain and depletion of groundwater. Additionally, the temperatures are touching 36-37 degrees Celsius this summer," he said. The rise in temperature results in vegetables rotting earlier than usual, affecting supply, Gopi added.
"Last week, the per-kg price of beans was Rs 40-50, but is now Rs 70-80, carrot is up from Rs 30-35 to Rs 45, beetroot was Rs 15-18 and is now Rs 25, and brinjal was Rs 20-25 but is now Rs 30-45," he said.
Potato and onion prices, though, are the same, while tomato prices have fallen from Rs 10-15 to Rs 7-8.
Ibraz Khan, a wholesaler in KR Market, said the price spiral may not dent business. "Prices of vegetables such as beans have increased because of the heat; tomato prices have fallen due to heavy production," he said. Prices have definitely gone up over the past 15 days due to a change in weather," said A M Mustaq Ahmed, a vegetable vendor in Russell Market. "Water scarcity during summer is a common issue which often leads to an increase in the price of vegetables. This year too, there has been an increase in the price of carrots, bottlegourd and capsicum. Carrots, which earlier sold for Rs 42, are now selling for Rs 50. The price of capsicum and bottlegourd is up by Rs 10 each," said an employee at a supermarket chain.