Incessant Rainfall Leads to High Vegetable Prices in Bengaluru

Wholesale vegetable prices in Gujarat are skyrocketing as a result of a late monsoon and irregular rainfall that have resulted in a drop in supply to marketplaces. 

Vegetable prices have risen by up to 40% as a result of heavy rains over the previous two weeks, which devastated crops and reduced supplies. The meagre product that does arrive at the marketplaces is also of low quality. The majority of Bengaluru's veggies come from the districts of Kolar and Chikkaballapur, as well as a few locations in Bengaluru Rural and Tamil Nadu. The northeastern monsoon has wreaked havoc on these areas. 

According to the Karnataka State Disaster Management Centre, rains caused considerable damage to agriculture and horticultural crops between November 1 and November 21. When it comes to horticulture, Kolar took the brunt of the damage, with 6,966 hectares of crops devastated. Consumers have noticed the insufficient supply in Chikkamagaluru (6,492 ha), Ballari (4,802 ha), and Chikkaballapur (4,351 ha).  

Tomatoes were destroyed in 3,363 hectares, potatoes in 2,416 hectares, and flowers in 448 hectares, according to horticulture officials in Kolar, while farmers planting other vegetables reported widespread damage. Vegetable prices have been high since the monsoon began in June, but they appeared to level down in late September and October. Consumers have been aware of the shortage since November. In the meantime, those who rely on applications are getting 'no stock' warnings instead of the low pricing that online markets are known for. 

Lakshmikanth, an onion-grower from Chitradurga said, “This was the last batch of onions for this year, but as they are all disease-ridden (due to rain), farmers are not even bagging them to save cost.” A bag of onions (50 kg) costs Rs 1,000, down from Rs 1,300-1,500 a month earlier, while a bag of potatoes costs Rs 700-1,000 at the Yeshwantpur market. 

This Hike in prices has left the People in the town of Bengalaru to either go hungry or to buy their vegetables and fruits at overly expensive rates.