Vegetable prices up by 20-30% in city markets: APMC officials

Pune: Shortage of supply and high demand have resulted in price escalation of all vegetables in the retail and wholesale markets of the city in the last few days, said Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) officials on Sunday.The officials informed that there is a high demand for all vegetables at present due to the ongoing ‘Pitrupaksha' (a time when homage is paid to ancestors through food offerings). Further, high-intensity rainfall in the last few days has also damaged crops across the district.Incidentally, prices of leafy vegetables — particularly coriander — have fallen drastically compared to the last two weeks. A bunch of coriander was sold in the Rs60-80 range a fortnight ago but has now come down to Rs10-20 per bunch. Officials explained that it was because of the arrival of fresh harvest in the market."However, we cannot rule out the possibility of price escalation once again in the upcoming fortnight as we have received reports from farmers that many plantations have been damaged severely due to rainfall in the last few days," said a senior official from the APMC.Vilas Bhujbal, a commission agent from the city's Market Yard, told TOI, "In these two weeks observed as Pitrupaksha annually, demand for all vegetables usually remains high. Food offerings are made as per rituals, and multiple items are prepared from a variety of vegetables. So, additional produce is bought to prepare fare for guests in more than usual quantities."A section of traders and commission agents said vegetables like okra, cluster bean, bitter gourd, fenugreek and others remain in high demand at the moment. "Therefore, their prices have risen in markets by 20-30% in the last few days. The scenario is expected to persist for the next few days," said another senior APMC official.Meanwhile, customers rued the expenses, saying their budget is affected. "We are paying 60-70% more for leafy vegetables in markets already," said Santosh Suryawanshi from Pimple Gurav.Sangita Lakade, a working professional, said, "Vendors sell all vegetables at a very high cost throughout the year anyway. Currently, they know customers will buy vegetables at any cost due to Pitrupaksha. We have no choice but to pay the quoted price."