Low supply, high cost of greens hit kitchen budgets

Heat, delayed rains causes surge, forces Delhiites to buy daily items at double the price

Crop damage in states like Himachal Pradesh due to delayed rain has sent prices of vegetables skyrocketing in the national capital, with consumers forced to buy daily items such as tomatoes at double the price.

Prices of kitchen staples like potatoes, onion, and tomatoes as well as green vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and those in the gourd family have particularly soared, vendors in the wholesale markets said.

“Currently, the wholesale price of tomatoes is around 50 to 60 rupees per kg. The local variety is selling for 1,200 rupees per 28 kilograms (1 crate), and the hybrid variety for 1,400 to 1,700 rupees. Earlier these used to sell for around 25-30 rupees,” Sanjay Bhagat, a trader in Azadpur Sabzi Mandi, said.

“The price for other vegetables in the wholesale market is around 25 to 28 rupees per kg. Vegetables that used to sell for 10 to 15 rupees are now 25 to 30 rupees. Beans rates have also increased, selling for 40 to 50 rupees per kilogram,” he added.