Pune, India: Vegetable prices dip as supply rises

Increases in supply from neighbouring states where the harvesting season is at its peak lowered vegetable prices in Pune on Sunday, as compared to last week. The price of ladies’ finger, cluster beans, chilli, cucumber, brinjal and raw mango witnessed a drop on Sunday due to an increase in the supply of these commodities. However, the prices of ginger, potato and peas have risen. The price of ginger has increased because it’s supply from Bengaluru has stopped.

The price of ladies’ finger crashed to Rs 150-200 (€1.84-2.46) from Rs 250 (€3.07) per 10 kg last week, cluster beans dipped to Rs 250 from Rs 200 (€3.07 to 2.46) per 10 kg last week while chilli went from being sold at Rs 300 per 10 kg last week to Rs 200 (€3.69-2.46). Cucumber which was sold at nearly Rs 150 per 10 kg last week came crashing to Rs 80-90 on Sunday. Brinjal and raw mango were sold at Rs 80 and Rs 200 per 10 kg.

On the other hand, ginger was sold at Rs 300-320 per 10 kg which is Rs 100 higher than last week. Even prices of potatoes have shot up and it was sold at Rs 180 per 10 kg as compared to Rs 120 last week. But prices of peas have reached Rs 500-550 per 10 kg which is said to be a season high.

Hindustantimes.com quoted Vilas Bhujbal, president of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Traders' and Agents' Association, as saying: "Earlier, unseasonal rains affected the supply but now this has increased and has brought down the prices of some commodities like ladies’ finger, cluster beans, chilli, cucumber, and brinjal. However, beans which sold at nearly Rs 40 last week, increased to Rs 60 per kilogramme on Sunday."

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Vijay Kadam, a retail vegetable seller in Swargate, said, "Generally, during summer, the prices of vegetables rise but as there is a regular supply we have seen a dip in prices. People are now buying twice as much, unlike ten days ago when the prices were higher."

Bhujbal said, " Vegetables used to come to the Pune market from Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Satara, and Sangli area. The prices are set to drop further with the increase in supply."