Surge in vegetable prices shocks consumers

After a steep rise in wheat flour and sugar rates, consumers brave another challenge of paying more than double for various vegetables, while pulses despite a drop in wholesale rates being retailed at higher prices. For example, turrai (ridge gourd), lokki (bottle gourd) and karela (bitter gourd) prices have surged to Rs200 per kg from Rs80-100 a few days back, followed by bhindi (okra) Rs300 from Rs150-200 per kg. Tomato rates now hover between Rs100 per kg compared to Rs80 a few days back. Ahead of Eidul Azha, the red fruit was selling at Rs50-60 per kg. The price of onion is now Rs70-80 per kg against Rs50-70. Potato sells at Rs90-100 per kg despite a rise in local production. Besides, both onion and potato hold a bulk share in overall exports of vegetables. The country’s overall vegetable exports in terms of quantity swelled to 1.276m tonnes ($283m) in 11MFY23 as compared to 874,231 tonnes ($291m) in the same period last fiscal year.