Soaring veggie prices hit kitchen budgets

LUCKNOW: High prices of veggies have hit many a kitchen budget, forcing households to drop some dishes from their menu.

Last year, potato was being sold at Rs 15 to 20 per kg and onion between Rs 20 to 30 but this year despite the arrival of new crop, potato is being sold at Rs 55 per kg , onion at Rs 80 per kg, tomato at Rs 50 per kg and green peas at Rs 80 per kg in the retail markets .

“Prices have not come down at all, “said leading whole seller and stockist at Naveen Galla Mandi (Sitapur Road ) Rinku Sonkar.

He said , “It seems onion and potato prices are likely to hold on till January. The rates are higher not because of higher demand but because of low production.”

Ajay Anmol of Bharatiya Kisan Union said, “Potato prices shot up gradually this year because of lower production, which was impacted by adverse weather during the harvest season in the potato-growing regions of the state . Onion prices are up because of significant damage to crops in Maharashtra and Karnataka.”

Rehman, a vegetable seller in Alambagh said, “People are also feeling the pinch because of higher margin taken by retailers . Potato price is between Rs 30 to 35 in the mandi but it is sold in the market at Rs 55 per kg while tomato is sold at a price between Rs 20 to 30 in the mandi but at Rs 50 in the market .

Onions are being sold at a price between Rs 38 t0 40 in the mandi but at Rs 80 by retailers . Similarly, green peas are available at Rs 40 in the mandi but at Rs 80 in the open market.”

Ashutosh Varma, spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party in

Uttar Pradesh said, “The central and state government were unable to assess the anger among farmers about the new farm bill. As a result, prices of vegetables, mostly consumed by poor people, have shot up.”

Meera Yadav, a housewife said, “The food budget of the family is disturbed. Corona has already hit our earnings and now skyrocketing prices of vegetables have made it difficult for housewives to manage the kitchen.”