Karnataka - Bangalore

Vegetable prices go up sharply

BANGALORE: Middle class families are digging deeper into their pockets while shopping for vegetables as the truckers strike continued into the fourth day.

The traders are claiming that the prices of vegetables and fruits have shot up by around 30 to 40 per cent while onion is 50 per cent costlier. Onion that was around Rs. 16 to Rs. 18 last week has shot up to around Rs. 25. Only green leafy vegetables have not shown much difference in price since these are not transported from faraway places and are not dependent on trucks. Even the price of vegetables in Horticultural Producers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) outlets was marginally lower than the price in other markets. Vegetable vendors at Russel Market told The Hindu that prices have increased by Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 a kg on all vegetables. Mohammed Naushal, a vendor, said that in the last five days, carrot went up from Rs. 18 to Rs. 24, cabbage from Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 and brinjal from Rs. 14 to Rs. 20. Cauliflower, which was Rs. 12 a kg just a few days ago, was Rs. 20 on Thursday. According to J. Prakash, another vegetable vendor, garlic shot up from Rs. 20 to Rs. 24 and potato from Rs. 8 to Rs. 14. “Earlier, each drumstick cost Rs.4 and ginger Rs. 30 a kg. They are now twice the price,” said Mohammed Murtaza.

Fayaz, another vendor, says: “Vegetables sourced from Yeshwanthpur cost more as transportation is expensive while supply from the Fraser Town area is cheaper.”

The prices of fruits too have gone up by 30 to 40 per cent, particularly those of orange, sweet lime and pineapple. But apple, watermelon and papaya are more or less steady.

Meanwhile, Hopcoms officials said their prices remained normal. Said a senior official: “The quality of vegetables that we procure is very good, and the prices are reasonable. There is no shortage of supply, but we are prepared to procure more if the situation demands.”

He said that there was good supply of fruits as Hopcoms had a stock of fruits in cold storage.

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