Vegetable prices in Mumbai have risen sharply after Ganeshotsav and with the onset of Pitrupaksha, as erratic monsoon conditions, crop damage and lower arrivals tightened supplies, said traders. 

Most vegetables are retailing at Rs 80-120 per kg, while vendors warned prices could increase further if unpredictable weather continued.At APMC Vashi wholesale market, vegetables are priced at Rs 40-70 per kg, up from Rs 20-50 per kg a week ago. Traders said prices were likely to remain elevated in the coming days. 

With supply from Maharashtra currently scanty, most vegetables are arriving from neighbouring Gujarat and Karnataka.Balasaheb Badade, president of APMC-Mumbai Vegetable Traders Association, attributed the increase to a break in monsoon rains that stressed standing crops in key farming belts, including Nashik, Pune and Satara. 

He said unpredictable weather had also caused localised crop damage and reduced overall yields, affecting wholesale markets.Traders said a dry spell had disrupted crop supply chains, while spoilage of perishable greens during storage and transportation had compounded the shortage.

Ashok Gupta, a trader, said fewer vegetable trucks were reaching the wholesale hub at APMC Vashi. 

The decline in truck arrivals has left supply below demand across the city, according to traders, who linked the retail increase to reduced volumes currently reaching APMC Vashi wholesale market in Navi Mumbai.

The supply squeeze comes as demand for vegetables rises significantly during Pitrupaksha. Consumer Ajay Pai said buying vegetables had become substantially more expensive after Ganeshotsav and during Pitrupaksha.

Traders said households were being forced to reduce purchases amid higher prices.

Tomato, a key kitchen staple, remained unchanged at Rs 40-60 per kg over the past few weeks, but onion prices rose to Rs 80 per kg in parts of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Cauliflower was selling for Rs 70-80 per kg in retail markets.

Green chillies and capsicum were priced at Rs 100 per kg each. Cluster beans and French beans were selling at Rs 100-120 per kg, while green peas climbed to Rs 100 per kg. A lemon cost Rs 10 apiece, against a wholesale rate of Rs 6-7, because of scanty supply.

Source - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com