Vegetable prices surge as heavy rain and flooding destroy crops
Times of India | 20 September 2024
Kolkata: The recent bout of intense rainfall and flooding in south Bengal has wreaked havoc on the region’s agricultural fields, causing severe damage to standing crops. This has led to a sharp surge in vegetable prices across city wholesale and retail markets, throwing household budgets into disarray just before the festive season.
Worse, the price may rise manifold, if the water recedes late.The damage will then be far greater. “Because of the high tide, the water situation worsened in some parts of south Bengal even after the rain had stopped. If the water does not recede fast, it will be impossible to recover from the losses. As of now, the damage is likely to be long-term and severe,” said Kamal Dey, a member of the govt appointed market task force and president of the West Bengal Vendors’ Association.
The torrential downpours, coupled with high winds and high tide, have left many fields waterlogged, with some areas reporting knee-deep to waist-deep flooding. This widespread damage to standing crops is being felt acutely in Kolkata and its suburbs, where vegetable prices have started surging drastically.
Brinjal, selling at Rs80-90 per kg just days ago, now costs between Rs100-120 per kg depending on size. Green chilies have jumped from Rs100-120/kg to Rs150/kg, while beans, which were priced at Rs150/kg, now cost Rs200/kg. Capsicum, previously available for Rs100/kg, is now selling for Rs120-150/kg. Drumsticks have spiked to Rs200/kg, up from Rs150/kg, said Manik Mondal of Behala market.
With the festive season approaching, families are bracing for further hikes as the market instability continues. “The vegetable prices remained very high throughout this summer and monsoon, but now the sudden spike has caused prices to shoot through the roof. Household budgets are in chaos, especially kitchen expenses. Even the humble potatoes have become expensive,” said Arunima Sarkar, a school teacher from Parnashree.
Common vegetables like tomatoes, which were priced at Rs40-50 per kg earlier, now cost Rs80 in retail markets, with some vendors charging as high as Rs100/kg. Pointed gourd has increased from Rs70-80 to Rs80-90/kg, while okra has gone from Rs60 to Rs80/kg. Bitter gourd and ridge gourd, previously Rs60/kg, are now priced at Rs80/kg. Cabbage, which was available for Rs40-50/kg, now costs Rs60/kg.
Nitesh Saha, a vegetable seller at Maniktala market, said: “The prices are going up daily as supply is falling short, leaving a wider demand-supply gap. Some vegetables are not selling on time and are rotting.”Abdul Latif Molla, a farmer from Bhangar added:“Our losses are immense. The water in the fields is knee-deep.”