Supply disruptions hit veggie costs

Colva/Panaji: Vegetable prices continue to soar, with traders across Goa blaming the intense summer heat, delayed crop cycles, lower arrivals of produce from neighbouring states and rising transportation costs.


Prices of several staples have surged in recent weeks. Onions, which were retailing at around Rs 20 per kg a few weeks ago, are now selling at Rs 30-35 per kg, while tomatoes have risen from about Rs 25 to nearly Rs 50 per kg, touching Rs 70 in some markets.


Coriander has seen one of the sharpest hikes, with a bunch of the herb now costing around Rs 40 compared to Rs 10 earlier. Vendors said that French beans, garlic and ginger are retailing at nearly Rs 180 per kg in several markets.


Agriculture director Sandeep Fol Desai said that vegetable prices are driven by three factors: production levels, market conditions and supply chains.


“Sometimes, vegetables may cost only Rs 3 per kg at the source, but by the time they reach Goa, the retail price becomes Rs 30 per kg,” Fol Desai said.


“Rates may remain high in the coming weeks due to supply shortages and weather-related disruptions,” said S Mokashi, a wholesale trader at the Panaji market.


Goa relies heavily on Karnataka and Maharashtra for vegetable supplies, making local prices vulnerable to fluctuations in wholesale markets there.


Salim Rajab Ali, a vendor at the Varca market, said, “Production of vegetables has reduced and transportation costs have gone up. Prices are likely to remain high for some more time.”


Consumers and traders are now hoping that the onset of monsoon will stabilise prices in the coming weeks.