Lemons Surpass Rs 300 Kg-Mark as Vegetables Become Costlier in India

Due to an increase in transportation costs as a result of the increase in fuel prices, vegetable prices in the national capital Delhi have risen sharply. Due to rising transportation costs and the resulting increase in the purchase price, vegetable dealers reported their sales have decreased and profits have dropped.

Tomato prices have risen to Rs 40 per kilogram, according to Dharmendra Singh, a vegetable dealer in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar, and potatoes are now being offered for Rs 25 per kilogram. Previously, it was sold for Rs 10 per kilogram, he said.

"The majority of vegetables have increased in price. We don't make much money. We purchase the vegetables from the market at a certain price. People have cut back on the number of vegetables they buy since prices have risen" he stated. Another vendor in Lajpat Nagar, Akhilesh, noted that fruit prices have also increased.

Customers no longer receive free coriander leaves or green chilies, according to some sellers.

"Customers no longer receive free green chilies. Lemons sell for Rs 350 a kg in the market; therefore, you won't buy one for less than Rs 10. Capsicum costs Rs 100 per kilogram "Akhilesh said.

In Gujarat, Telangana, and other parts of the country, lemon prices have also increased. According to a vegetable vendor in Hyderabad, "The cost of living has skyrocketed. We used to get a complete lemon sack for Rs 700, but today they cost Rs 3,500. Nobody wants to buy a single lemon that we're offering for Rs ten.”

Another lady vendor, Lakshmi, claimed she is currently purchasing a whole bag of lemons for Rs 3,000.

"I bought the entire bag for Rs 3,000 and am selling a dozen for Rs 120, but no one is interested," she explained.

Vegetable costs have also surged in Uttarakhand as a result of rising fuel prices.

"Almost all vegetables have increased in price; lemon is selling for Rs 200-250 per kg in the mandi, while gourd is selling for Rs 30-35 per kg," claimed a vegetable vendor.