Bengaluru: The delayed monsoon and 30 percent dip in the average rainfall for March, April and May in south-interior Karnataka, from where the city gets its supplies of vegetables, have led to a whopping 100 pc increase in the prices of vegetables in the city. Sellers and authorities say the trend will continue till the monsoon arrives.
Meteorological Department officials said that the south-interior Karnataka that includes, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru rural, Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Kolar, Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagara, Davangere, Chintamani, Madikeri, Shivamogga, Chikkanahalli, Chitradurga, Agumbe etc., has received 83.2 mm rainfall as compared to the normal 118.7mm rainfall for March, April and May, which is nearly one-thirds less.
Street-side vendors are selling beans for Rs 160-180 per kg, radish for Rs 60 per kg, ladies finger for Rs 80 per kg and capsicum for Rs 80. At Hopcoms outlets, beans is priced at Rs 139 per kg, radish at Rs 44 per kg, ladies finger at Rs 54 per kg and capsicum at Rs 70 per kg.
A vendor, Swamy, said, “In the last two months, vegetable prices have doubled because of short supply and delayed rainfall. Customers are shocked with these prices and almost always ask for a discount. They don’t understand that the prices are so high that we hardly make any profit. It has become very difficult for us to sell the vegetables.”
Confirming that the prices of the vegetables have shoot up 100 percent, Dr C.G. Nagaraj, Joint Director (Vegetable), Horticulture Department, said, “The increase in prices is due to delayed monsoon and shortage of water. The prices will remain high for another 20 days or more till the monsoon arrives.”
On the lower prices at Hopcoms outlets, he said, “We get vegetable supplies directly from farmers and there are no traders and middlemen involved. This helps us keep the cost of vegetables as less as possible. We request the general public to make the best use of Hopcoms. We also display the rate of each vegetable at the entrance for the public to make their choice.”
The Horticulture Department gets its supply of vegetables from Devanahalli, Doddaballapura, Hosur, Anekal, Chitradurga and other places, while the market gets its supply from across the state and also from other parts of the country. For instance, carrots are sourced from Ooty and tomatoes from Nasik and Jaipur.
