Speculation is rife that suppliers might be hoarding vegetables, pushing up prices, Sabnavis said. While pulses can be stored for a longer time, vegetables cannot be stored for too long.

“The government is keeping a tab on wholesalers so that they don’t indulge in black marketing or hoarding of fruits and vegetables to artificially create a shortage and then sell goods at increased prices,” he said.

Vendors added that their profit margins have shrunk. While previously they managed to make a profit of Rs 2 to 3 per kg for potatoes, they are now managing to rake up merely 50 paisa as profit.

Another vendor, Shiv Kumar, said that while supply is fine, there is a marked drop in demand for vegetables due to the high prices.

Seema, a consumer, said her family has cut down on quantity to stick to their budget for vegetables and fruits.