In Ranchi, the capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand, rain is destroying vegetable crops, causing the price of certain produce to almost double, due to the reduction in arrivals.
Tomato and capsicum prices have doubled in the past week. The prices of other green vegetables have also increased. Satyendra Prasad, a vegetable vendor at Lalpur market, said, "Heavy rain has damaged crops and vegetables have started rotting, thus reducing the total produce. The wedding season has also started, which will inevitably lead to an increase in the demand for vegetables. The supply shortage, coupled with a demand hike, has led to a price rise."
The price of capsicum, which was sold for anywhere between Rs 30 and Rs 40 has increased to Rs 120 per kg in the past few weeks. Similarly, tomatoes, which were sold for Rs 20 per kg have gone up to Rs 50 per kg.
The price of lady's finger has increased from Rs 15 to Rs 25 per kg, while the price of pointed gourd (parval) has shot up from Rs 14 to Rs 25 per kg. Coriander, which was sold for Rs 30 a week ago, now costs Rs 160 per kg.
Another vendor, Madan Kumar, said "With prices soaring, residents who would normally buy a kilogram of a particular vegetable are now buying only half a kg. Meanwhile, daily wage earners who earn between Rs 150 and Rs 200 a day are not buying vegetables at all."
Source - timesofindia.indiatimes.com
