Veggie delight for buyers in city as prices dip by 25%

NAVI MUMBAI: In good news for consumers, the prices of vegetables have dropped 25% in the retail market, and 50% in the wholesale market over the past one week owing to the increase in supply.

Traders from APMC market in Navi Mumbai expect the prices to dip further.

According to Ramdas Pawle, a wholesaler in the market, “The prices usually dip in winter, with the rise in production. For the past few days, we have been getting around 700 vehicles in the market, which is a lot higher than normal. While we get a total of 550 vehicles from Maharashtra, the rest come from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Soon, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Karnataka, too, will start sending the supplies.”

“The prices will not increase anytime soon, in fact they could reduce further. The farmers are suffering because of this,” said Kailash Tanjane, another wholesaler.

Sharif Shaikh, a vendor, said, “Vegetables that were selling for ₹50-60 a kg last week are now

Bitter gourd

Capsicum

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Chilli

Green peas

Lady’s finger

Tomato

Ridge gourd

Bottle gourd being sold for ₹30-₹40 a kg. We have to factor in a lot of expenses and losses, so the fall in retail prices is not as sharp as the wholesale market.”

Divya Gupta, 40, a resident of Kopar Khairane, said, “I hope it stays that way. Our household budgets were going for a toss.” Nov23 (₹/kg)