Vegetable prices in Indore drop as supplies surge, relief for households

Indore: In a seasonal reversal where supplies typically drop during summer months, a jump in arrivals at Choithram Mandi, the city's largest wholesale hub, has brought relief to consumers with vegetable prices easing across categories over the past few days.Traders said increased supplies from the Nimar belt and villages within a 60 km radius of Indore led to a correction in wholesale prices with most vegetables now available in the range of Rs 15 to Rs 40 per kg."Farmers have increased arrivals of vegetables. Most supplies are coming from nearby villages of Indore. This has dampened prices of most vegetables. Usually in summers, supplies dry up and prices go up," a vegetable supplier at Chaoithram market Arif Mansori said. Supplies from the Nimar region account for over 60 percent of the total vegetable arrivals in Indore, making it a key factor in determining prices in the city. The current surge has improved availability and stabilised rates in the wholesale market.At Choithram mandi, wholesale prices of key vegetables have softened, with brinjal selling at around Rs 10 per kg, drumstick at Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg, sponge gourd at Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg, okra at Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kg and cabbage at Rs 8 to Rs 10 per kg. Retail prices, however, continue to vary across different parts of the city.Consumers said the price drop provided some relief at a time when household budgets are under pressure due to rising costs across categories."With prices of essentials like edible oil, LPG and transport already high, the fall in vegetable rates has at least helped us save some money on daily expenses," a regular buyer at a local market Neha Sharma said.Traders said the trend will depend on continued supply from nearby regions. Any disruption due to weather or transport issues could again tighten arrivals and push prices upward in the coming weeks.