Unseasonal rains in the vegetable-growing belt around Bengaluru has led to a supply crunch in the city, which has resulted in an escalation of prices. In the last week, most vegetable prices shot up by ₹5 to ₹10 in the markets. The prices are expected to rise further in the next seven to 10 days before stabilising.
This year, even during Ugadi in April, the prices of vegetables remained stable as there was an excess of supply owing to the showers in January-February. “During the last week, the arrivals (of vegetables) have reduced as it is raining continuously in regions like Malur, Hoskote, and others. The prices of tomatoes and beans have skyrocketed. We have also seen an unusual increase in the price of knol khol,” said Sridhar of K.R. Market Vegetable Traders’ Association.
“Farmers do not go to fields when it is raining and by the time they harvest the vegetables, the quality reduces. Hence, even the supply which arrives at the market will not all be of a top quality,” another vegetable trader said.
