Veggie rates refuse to cool down as rain hits supply
Times of India | 20 August 2025
Kolkata: City households are feeling the pinch of a relentless rise in vegetable prices as record rainfall has hit supply lines and damaged standing crops across Bengal. With demand outstripping local supply, traders are sourcing vegetables from states like Karnataka, further pushing up rates due to higher transport charges.
At markets across Kolkata, prices of vegetables are still staying around the Rs 80-mark, with a few essentials climbing even higher. Green chillies have touched a staggering Rs 150-200 per kg, while okra is selling at Rs 100, almost double its July price. Rates of drumsticks, a seasonal staple, have risen to Rs 180 from Rs 120 just over a month ago. Cauliflower, which was available for Rs 40 a piece in mid-July, now costs Rs 60. Items like eggplant and tomatoes, which were being sold at Rs 100 and Rs 60 per kg, respectively, in July, are now being sold at Rs 80 — providing some relief to household budgets.
Local growers and vendors blame the weather and its cascading effects. "The incessant rain has severely disrupted supply lines. Fresh, quality produce is scarce. Nearly 80% of the vegetables arriving daily from South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Nadia and parts of Hooghly are of sub-standard quality. Waterlogging at base of plants has damaged both crops and fruits, which are either losing colour or shrinking in size. Vegetables bought in the morning are rotting by night," said Kamal De, president of the West Bengal Vendors' Association.
The standing crop in the low-lying fields is completely damaged. "New seedlings would now take another two months to yield. Till then, there will be heavy dependence on products from neighbouring and distant states," said De.
Vendors at Kolkata's traditional markets also expressed their frustration. "Prices have remained stagnant at these high levels for the past four days. The excessive rainfall has hit the supply chain and there is no sign of relief," said Kartick Saha, a vendor at Maniktala Market. At Gariahat, dealer Dilip Mondal said that seasonal vegetables are perishing too fast.
Agricultural officers, however, warn that the crisis goes deeper than rain alone. "The season's crop output is far below expectations. In places like Bhangar, only about 25% of plants from the previous cycle are yielding fruit and both the quantity and quality is poor," said Shanur Rahaman, assistant director of agriculture, Bhangar-I block.