Vegetable prices have dropped significantly,say APMC traders

Traders from the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) said the prices of vegetables had come down significantly following increased supply.

Owing to the late onset of monsoon,farmers were able to plant vegetables only in July. As vegetables require a 45-day period,this crop has begun arriving in the markets.

Vegetable supply was high last month,because the crop had been delayed by a month. Now,fresh harvest has started coming in,which has eased supplies to an extent, said Pratap Nikam,a trader. It is also true that fewer customers are coming to the markets because of the swine flu fear,which has also boosted supply, he said. Prior to the vegetable market closing last weekend,traders were complaining that the footfalls had decreased to a large extent because of the scare.

However,prices of potatoes are set to be higher than usual. Now,at the wholesale market,potatoes are being sold at Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,300 per quintal. Right now,we are able to procure potatoes only from Agra and Punjab. The entire country is depending on it right now. Unfortunately,the prices are only going to increase with the second lull in rains affecting crop production. The next flush of potato crop is expected in December, said Rajendra Korpe,trader and APMC member.

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