Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI, JUNE 11: The shortage in supply of vegetables in the national Capital has led to the price inflation with tomato and potato being sold at Rs 60-80 per kg and Rs 23-25 respectively, across the mandis in the city.

Not only is the soaring price troubling the residents of the Capital but the vegetable vendors are also facing the heat of rising prices of vegetables. The Pioneer inspected several mandis and vegetable wholesale markets across the city to find the reason behind the increased prices of tomatoes. If the prices of tomatoes and potatoes were compared to last year’s prices there is a major hike, which was never recorded before as the rate nearly doubled in major cities within a year.

Currently, the tomatoe prices skyrocketed to Rs 60-80 per kg in Delhi against Rs 15 per kg last year, according to the survey. This year, the prices of potatoes in the Capital city increased to Rs 25 against Rs 20 as of June 1, 2021.

The prices of onion also hiked by over Rs 10 per kg, as ot costs Rs 30 per kg against Rs 20 in month of June last year. The rate of the lemon nearly doubled over the year as it costs Rs 120 per kg this year against Rs 60 per kg last year.

Meanwhile, the cost of other vegetable like cauliflower Rs 30, brinjal Rs 30 and bottlegourd Rs 100 is the same as compared to the last year.

Charan Kumar, a vegetable vendor said that the prices of tomatoes and potatoes are rising due to the tight supply from the major sellers including Bangalore and Nasik.

The current supply is coming from Haryana, but the quantity is not sufficient which is the biggest reason behind the price surge. Another vegetable vendor, Lalan Yadav said that retail also they have to sell the vegetables at the purchasing rates only as people have stopped buying them, due to increased prices. In market, there is a shortage of tomatoes and it’s getting very difficult for sellers to even earn their living by selling them.

Another major problem is the scorching heatwave in the city following which vegetables get destroyed as buyers are not stepping out in market instead they prefer to order vegetables online.

On other hand, the buyers were seen buying tomatoes in very less quantities, hoping that prices will come down soon.

Arun Singh, a buyer said that budget of household is deteriorated because of sudden increase in the prices of majorly used vegetable, like tomatoes and potatoes. It is very difficult for a middle class family to survive in this situation. Another buyer, who did not wish to be named, said that he is sole earner in family and monthly his income is Rs 20,000.

I have to pay my daughter’s school fees also along with the rent of the house. My family has stopped eating tomatoes since the day the prices hiked. I hope the prices of the tomatoes get back to normal so that people like me can afford them.

-PTI