Many farmers regret the day they sold their tomatoes at just Rs 0.50 (€0.01) per kg at the time of harvest. Right now, the price is Rs 50 (€0.64) per kg.
It is the same for onions and other vegetables. And as prices are rising steeply, consumers are starting to improvise. A house wife in Kurnool said that she is now using tamarind instead of tomato, to make lentil soup. Another substitute she has discovered is chilli powder instead of green chillies. “How long we will continue like this?” she questioned.
“Price inflation has caused a lot of problems for me. I buy only the necessary quantity of tomatoes on a daily basis, in order to avoid wastage,” K. Anupama, another Kurnool resident, said.
Before elections, tomatoes were sold Rs 16 per kg. Now they have touched Rs 50. Onions went up from Rs 15 to Rs 35 during the period.
And while consumers are holding their purses, vendors too are facing a difficult period. A vegetable wholesaler in the main market of Kurnool, said that sharp fall was witnessed in sales these days. “The prices have gone up, that of tomato has particularly seen a steep hike,” he said. “There is not much difference in the number of customers as vegetables are necessary every day. But regular customers buy lesser quantity compared to earlier days, due to high prices.”
Source: deccanchronicle.com