Vegetable prices go out of bounds

Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 21

Tomatoes, which used to cost around Rs 30-40 per kilogram a few days back, are nowadays being sold for Rs 70 or Rs 80, by retailers. The rates are not going to fall anytime soon. The homemakers are worried over the soaring rates of all vegetables, which in the last 2-3 days have gone up to Rs 20-30 per kilogram per vegetable.

The overripe tomatoes are sold for Rs 60-70 per kg while the fresh ones are being sold for Rs 80 per kg. Talking to The Tribune, Gurmit Singh said previously, a crate of tomatoes was being sold for Rs 250 (about 20-22 kgs) in the wholesale market, which not is Rs 1,100-1,200 per crate.

“The rates will remain like this till the festive season. After this, the new crop from the plains will be ready and veggies will be cheaper. All the vegetables are coming from Himachal Pradesh and rates are too high as transportation cost is also added. The consumers have to bear with high priced veggies,” said Gurmit Singh.

Sunita, a domestic helper said, “People like us cannot such afford these. The taste of cooked meal will be sacrificed but that is acceptable to us. How can we get such expensive veggies?” asked the helper.

The rates of all the vegetables have increased. The capsicum costs around Rs 80 per kg, bottle gourd Rs 80 per kg while peas are being sold for Rs 120 per kilogram, the rate of carrot is Rs 60-70 per kg.