Veggies to be costlier from today due to weather quirks

Jaipur: Abrupt changes in weather conditions leading to supply gaps at the wholesale vegetable markets are set to cause a rise in price in the retail marketplaces in Jaipur from Monday. With Muhana Mandi witnessing a particularly limited supply of vegetables in the past week, the price hike is likely to kick in at the beginning of the new week, said traders.

"When the wholesale market opens early Monday morning, we expect a further reduction in arrival of vegetables. Since we have already faced a limited supply since Friday, prices are likely to rise from Monday," said Hariram Kumawat, a wholesaler at Muhana Mandi.

Rainfall, often accompanied by hailstorms, have affected the yield of vegetable crops in farms located in Bagru, Bassi, Dudu, Tonk and Chomu, among other nearby areas, in recent days. "Vegetables like bottle gourd, round gourd, lady's-finger, green chili, tomatoes, and brinjal, which we usually get from the farms of Sikar, Bassi, Bagru, Kalawar and Chomu, are in short supply. This is why prices are likely to rise from Monday onwards," said Shiv Shankar Sharma, president of Aalo Aadhatiya Sangh at Muhana Mandi, to TOI.

Arrival of vegetables at Muhana Mandi has been disrupted due to bad weather conditions since Thursday. Friday saw a further reduction of the arrival of most vegetables, especially capsicum, green chili, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, coriander. Traders said they anticipate a 20% price rise from Monday onwards.

"Tomatoes, which were available for Rs 10-15 per kg, are likely to be available at Rs 20-25 per kg in the retail market from Monday," said Salim Qureshi, another wholesale trader at the mandi.

"Prices are likely to decrease from Thursday onwards as heatwave conditions are expected. The hailstorm and rainfall have damaged crops in the local farms," said Ramavtar Saini, a wholesaler at Hasanpura Mandi.

Greens set to see red

Vegetable

Price (Rs/kg)

Likely raised price

Tomatoes

10-15

20-25

Potatoes

15-20

20-25

Bottle gourd

25-30

35-40

Bittle gourd

60-80

100-120

Lemon

80-100

120-140

Onions

15-20

25-30

Coriander

80-90

100-110

Round gourd

25-30

35-40