Stubborn winter vegetables pinch pockets as prices stay above 50
Times of India | 23 December 2024
123 Kolkata: Unlike previous years, this winter brought no relief to household budgets as vegetable prices remain unusually high. Most vegetables are now priced above Rs 50 per kilogram, with green peas soaring to Rs 120-130 and staples like potatoes and onions showing no signs of declining. Vegetable retail prices have dropped, but not to the level experienced by consumers in previous years.
"Year after year, vegetable expenses have doubled, but incomes remain stagnant. How can an average family manage?" asked Shankar Ghosh, a schoolteacher from Barisha.
Vegetable prices in Kolkata markets have shown significant fluctuations over the past weeks, reflecting the ongoing pressure on household budgets. Brinjal price, for instance, decreased slightly to Rs 60-70/kg from Rs 80 on Dec 15, but still remained over the Rs 50-mark. Green peas, a winter staple, also saw some relief, dropping to Rs120-130/kg from Rs150 last week but the price was Rs 50 a kg around this time last year. Capsicum and beans follow a similar trend, with capsicum currently priced at Rs 60-70/kg (down from Rs 100 on Dec 8) and beans now at Rs 70/kg compared to Rs 90-100 two weeks ago.
Green chillies also remain steep, priced at Rs 80/kg this week. Carrots, at Rs 50-60/kg eased from its Rs 80 peak, while while flat beans dropped to Rs 50-60/kg from Rs 70-80. Tomatoes, though, are slightly cheaper now at Rs 50-60/kg. It was sold for Rs 80-90 earlier this month.
This price movement reflects a mix of factors, including improved supply, weather disruptions earlier in the season, and increased demand during the festive period. While some vegetables are becoming more affordable, the overall burden on consumers persists.
According to Sk Majid, a farmer from Bhangar, untimely rains in Nov significantly disrupted the supply chain.
Vegetable vendors corroborate the issue. Dilip Mondal, a seller at Gariahat market, said that many vegetables such as beans, capsicum, tomatoes and carrots are currently being sourced from other states due to Bengal's low productivity. In addition to weather woes, demand has also spiked. "Fish prices have risen significantly, leading to an increased reliance on vegetables, further driving up their prices," said Samaresh Gayen, a vendor in Maniktala.