New Delhi, July 12: The wholesale prices of key vegetables like tomato and onion are ruling higher by up to 50 per cent from last year in the national capital despite normal supply of these items.
In Azadpur, the country`s largest wholesale market, tomato prices have increased by 50 per cent to Rs 20 a kg on July 10 compared with Rs 13.33 per kg on the same day last year, even though its supply was higher at 4,045 quintals against 3,345 quintals in the review period, according to data collated by the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board (DAMB).
Similar trend was seen in onion prices, which rose to Rs 10.75 a kg on July 10 from Rs 7.50 a kg in the year-ago period.
Onion supply in the Azadpur mandi on July 10 was higher at 13,229 quintals, while on the same day last year it was 10,044 quintals.
Prices of carrot, bottle gourd, carrot, cucumber, garlic and pumpkin have also increased though supplies of these items were normal in the wholesale market.
Delhi Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Chairman J K Bansal said that the supply-demand mismatch is reflecting in prices.
However, a leading trader at Azadpur said: "An increase in prices of few vegetables has impacted across the board. There is poor arrival of three or four vegetables only".
An agri-expert Devender Sharma noted that "there is no concrete reason for a rise in vegetables prices. The reports of late monsoon has boosted sentiment of traders to hike the
prices."
There may be short supply in some vegetables but not all, he added.
A rise in the wholesale prices was also reflected in the retail market, where onion prices have shot up by 40 per cent to Rs 14 a kg during the review period.
However, the data showed a shortage of supply in vegetables like potato, lady`s finger, capsicum, coriander and green chilli.
In a retail chain in West Delhi, prices of cauliflower are ruling at Rs 60 a kg, tomato Rs 30, potato Rs 18, onion Rs 15, lady`s finger Rs 25, cabbage Rs 25, bitter gourd Rs 29, cucumber Rs 28, beans Rs 48, bottle gourd Rs 36, brinjal Rs 18, capsicum Rs 50, and pointed gourd Rs 23 a kg. The prices were ruling even more higher at local vendors.
Bureau Report
