With the economic slowdown in the country, the prices of vegetables are also witnessing an all-time high. Moreover, due to the continual rains last week, several crops have been damaged.
In Mumbai, the rise in prices of vegetables is especially visible. Ladyfingers, or Bhindi, would earlier be sold for ₹10 is now being sold for ₹40. Tomatoes, a daily essential, are being sold between ₹40-₹60 depending on the size. Moreover, cabbage, eggplant, potatoes and cauliflowers are being sold for ₹40, ₹15-₹40, ₹30- ₹40, ₹60- ₹120 respectively.
This hike in prices of groceries has put the people in a troubling position. Even with the case of pulses, the prices have increased. The annual consumption of pulses in the country is around 240 lakh tonnes, while domestic production has been low during the last two crop years.
Since last month, the price of urad has increased by ₹500 per quintal in the major pulses markets of the country, while the price of tur has increased by about ₹600 per quintal. At the same time, the price of moong has increased by ₹800 per quintal. Along with this, the price of gram increased by ₹500 per quintal till last week.
This situation is especially problematic in the middle of a pandemic when people are out of jobs and are finding it difficult to traverse to places due to coronavirus-induced restrictions. With scanty supply, inflated prices and increasing demands, this could get worse in the days to come.
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