BHUBANESWAR: High fuel prices, heavy rain and disruption in the supply chain has led to the skyrocketing of prices of green vegetables in the city.
On Tuesday.
drumsticks were selling for Rs 160 per kg, french beans for Rs 130 per kg and capsicum for Rs 100 per kg.
“I think it is cheaper to eat fish and chicken more than twice a week than eating vegetables for five days.
Sometimes I prefer to cook only potatoes.
Since the prices of all vegetables are high, I spend around Rs 400 to Rs 500 every time I go to buy vegetables,” said Bharati Parida, a homemaker.
Even prices of staples like potatoes, tomatoes and onions have increased.
Last week, tomatoes were selling for Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kg but this week it has increased to Rs 30 per kg.
“Similarly, potato price increased from Rs 15 to Rs 18 per kg while onion prices soared from Rs 25 to Rs 30 in the last two weeks.” said Pramila Behera, another homemaker.
Apart from drumsticks, beans and capsicum that crossed the Rs 100-mark.
other major vegetables like brinjal, ridge gourd, bitter gourd and parval are selling at Rs 60 per kg while lady’s finger and cucumber are selling at Rs 50 per kg.
Vegetable vendors said apart from increase in fuel prices, lower output of vegetables, damage caused by Cyclone Yaas and monsoon are the main reasons behind the soaring vegetable prices as it affected stocks and disrupted supply.
“Due to increase in petrol and diesel prices, the transport cost has increased substantially triggering a rise in overall vegetable prices,” said Sarat Sahu, a vegetable vendor In Unit-I market.
The price for a litre of diesel was Rs 96.15 in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
Vendors said supply has also dipped.
“Standing crops in most coastal districts were washed away in Cyclone Yaas and damaged in the heavy rain with the onset of monsoon.
The supply of vegetables from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal also reduced significantly due to high transportation charges and rain.
The high prices will continue for some more days.” said Ramakrushna Sabat, a wholesaler in Unit-IV market.