Increasing prices of vegetables; 9 points to understand why

With the festive season around and rising inflation, the common man’s wallet is prey to fall under the radar of cash crunch. Petrol and diesel prices are at a record level and are increasing day by day. On the other hand, now the prices of vegetables have posed a great hardship for the people. Onion and tomato prices have been on the rise since the beginning of October and now there has been a sudden rise in potato prices. The retail price of potato in Delhi-NCR was Rs 25 per kg, ten days ago. There has been a sudden increase of Rs 15 per kg and at present, the price of potato is Rs 40 per kg.

What is the reason for the increase in prices?

– Diesel prices have increased close to Rs 100 and its effect is directly visible on the prices of vegetables.

– Rajesh Goel, secretary of Federation of Cold Storage Association, said that due to sudden rains across the country, crops have been badly affected. Due to this, the sowing work has also gone awry which is the reason for the increase in the prices of other vegetables including potatoes.

– Kshitij, owner of Goyal Road Carriers, said that the rise in diesel prices is a major reason for the increase in the prices of vegetables. They say that in the last 5 months, the price of diesel has increased by about Rs 30.

– Kshitij explains that 60% of the total cost of the transportation business is from diesel. In such a situation, not only vegetables but other products are also becoming expensive.

– In Delhi-NCR, the retail price of onion is Rs 50-60 a kg, while the prices of tomatoes remain almost at the same level.

– There are festivals coming, consumption is also expected to increase. Due to the festival season, there is a strong sentiment in the prices.

– A report by CRISIL states that the sowing of onions has been adversely affected due to heavy rains.

– Also, in the potato-growing areas of Uttar Pradesh, the rains have spoiled the potato crop.

– Omveer Yadav, a farmer of Mainpuri district coming in the potato growing belt of Uttar Pradesh, told that the sowing of potatoes starts around 15th August. This time due to heavy rains, the potato has rotted. Now the potatoes will have to be buried again.