12 Kolkata: With the summer heat slowly intensifying, vegetable prices in the city are witnessing a steady upswing. While winter vegetables are becoming costlier due to dwindling supplies, summer vegetables are yet to arrive in sufficient quantities to stabilise the market. While consumers are feeling the pinch, market experts suggest that this is a seasonal transition, and prices are expected to cool down once the summer crop supply picks up by early April.
"The good time seems to be over, with a steady upswing in vegetable prices. This winter, we had a relatively stable market with ample supply and reasonable prices. But now, the rising costs are putting pressure on household budgets. As a result, we are relying more on staple items like potatoes instead of green vegetables," said Sanket Acharya, a school teacher from Behala.
The price surge became evident from the second Sunday of March when rates of several vegetables spiked sharply. Brinjal, which was available at Rs 40-50 per kg, now costs Rs 80-100 per kg. Green peas, which earlier sold for Rs 30 per kg, now range between Rs 50-60 per kg, with supplies coming from Ranchi.
Interestingly, drumstick prices have seen some relief, dropping from Rs 200 per kg to Rs 130-150 per kg. Pointed gourd, which was earlier priced at Rs 150 per kg, is now available for Rs 100-120 per kg.
Gopal Sonkar, a wholesale trader at Koley Market, said: "For a long time, vegetables from other states were not arriving in large quantities. But now, as local supplies are dwindling, we are seeing an influx of produce from other states. This trend will continue to grow in the coming days."
Retailers at local markets are also observing this trend. Kartick Saha, a retailer from Maniktala Market, stated, "The prices of all winter vegetables are increasing as supply is dropping and quality is deteriorating. Until local summer produce arrives in full swing, prices will remain high." With consumers struggling to manage their household budgets, all eyes are now on early April, when the arrival of summer vegetables is expected to ease the pressure on prices.