Steep Rise in Vegetable Prices: The onset of the Southwest monsoon and recent floods in Delhi’s low-lying areas have caused a significant increase in vegetable prices.
Tomato Prices Skyrocket: Tomatoes, a commonly used vegetable, are being sold at exorbitant rates, ranging from Rs 130 to 240 per kilogram or even higher.
Wholesalers Report Doubled Prices: Wholesalers reveal that the prices of vegetables, including tomatoes, have doubled within the past two weeks, leading to a 40% decline in sales.
Shift to Tomato Puree: Due to high tomato prices, consumers are resorting to purchasing tomato puree instead of fresh tomatoes, affecting the overall demand for the vegetable.
Impact on Daily Vegetable Prices: The increased vegetable prices extend beyond tomatoes, with various items like bottle gourd, capsicum, bitter gourd, green coriander, and ladyfinger witnessing significant price hikes.
Disrupted Supply Chain: Heavy rainfall and flooding have adversely affected the vegetable supply chain, contributing to the scarcity and subsequent surge in retail prices.
Halted Movement of Commercial Vehicles: Floods have led to the suspension of commercial vehicle movement at the city’s border areas, further exacerbating the vegetable price hike.
Strained Family Budgets: The skyrocketing vegetable prices are putting immense strain on family budgets, making it challenging for households to meet their dietary needs while managing expenses.
Need for Mitigation Measures: Addressing the impact of rain and floods on the vegetable market requires timely intervention, such as implementing measures to improve supply chain resilience and stabilize prices, to alleviate the burden on consumers’ budgets.