Winter thaws prices of leafy greens; onions, tomatoes remain expensive

MUMBAI: The advent of winter has caused prices of green leafy vegetables to normalise after an elongated spell of inflation. Coriander, fenugreek and mint are selling for Rs 10 per bunch and spinach for Rs 15-20. Seasonal specialties like ‘sarson’ (mustard leaves), ‘bathua’ and green garlic are abundantly available, too.
Weekend shoppers at Andheri municipal market were pleasantly surprised to find large bunches of spinach selling for Rs 15 and clusters of coriander for Rs 10.“For the most part this year, vendors have been selling measly bunches of wilted coriander for Rs 20 and torn spinach for Rs 50-60. Methi had come to cost Rs 40-50. At both Dhake Colony and Andheri market, ‘sarson’ and ‘bathua’ are also available for Rs 20-25,” said Nayana Biswas.
Green garlic, whose delicate leaves enhance the flavour of several Sindhi and Gujarati recipes, is selling for Rs 30 for 100 gm.
Greengrocers at Yogi Hills in Nirmal Nagar, Mulund, found business had picked up over the weekend. Vendor Pappu Singh of Jalaram vegetable store said, “A bunch of spinach that cost Rs 50 approximately one month ago has dropped to Rs 15-20. Cauliflower has halved to Rs 60-70 from the peak price of Rs
120. Prices will reduce further once the new crop arrives from Nashik in 15-20 days. Then you will get carrots and green peas for Rs 20 per kg.”
However, table staples like onion and tomato remain costly at Rs 45-50 per kg. Kalyan Chatterjee, who shops at Megha vegetable store in Kandivli, said onion sold for Rs 44 and tomato Rs 58 Monday. The store owner said, “Cauliflower has dropped to Rs 60-100 per kg from last week’s Rs 120, while lady finger is Rs80 per kg. Customers are complaining they are forced to opt for bottle gourd which is more affordable at Rs 48.” By contrast, in Andheri market, large-sized bottle gourds sold for a mere Rs 20 apiece Sunday.