Diesel hike hits city’s kitchens

The incessant rains over the past few days in the region in addition to the increased cost of transportation after the diesel hike has heralded some major shock for the average consumer. Vegetables coming to the city from Himachal Pradesh have already experienced a 100 per cent price hike.

"The market, during this period, is wholly dependent on imports from Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana. Prices of all vegetables, especially cauliflower, tomato, peas and potato have escalated due to rains and the recent hike in price of fuel," said former president of Sabzi Mandi Arthiya Association Dig Vijay Kapoor.

Selling at Rs 60/kg in mandis till last week, peas from Himachal Pradesh are now selling for Rs 130/kg this week. Cauliflower now sells at Rs 80/kg in comparison to Rs 40/kg last week. Beans are available at Rs 25/kg, having experienced a rise of Rs 10/kg since last week. Potatoes double in price to Rs 30/kg while tomatoes now sell at Rs 40/kg from Rs 25/kg last week.

Onion imports from Maharashtra are also expected to get dearer. "There is a sudden fear amongst farmers that their costs will not be recovered if they don't get good prices in bigger markets, despite spending a lot on transportation. They are , therefore, trying to sell off their produce to their nearest markets and restrict transport," said Singh.

However, the price of Himachali apples remains unaffected as the harvest has already been done and are in the market.

Buy local

Singh says that incessant rains have led to crop loss and vegetables from other states will be harder to come by. Locally grown vegetables, available in the season, bottle guard (ghiya), ridged gourd (tori), pumpkin (kaddu) and taro (arbi) are availableaplenty and at more affordable prices.

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