Bengaluru: Vegetable prices have skyrocketed in markets in Bengaluru City, including Hopcoms (Horticulture Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society). The price of some vegetables including beans and Moringa has crossed the hundred mark per kg and is burning the pockets of consumers.
A few days ago, the heavy rains around Bengaluru caused damage to a huge amount of vegetable crops. So now the people of the capital have to depend on the vegetables supplied from the Ooty part of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, not only in Kalasipalya, K. R. Market but also in Hopcoms, the price of some vegetables has crossed the hundred mark. This situation is likely to continue for a few months.
In the K. R. Market earlier, beans were sold at Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per kg. Brinjal was being bought at Rs. 30 to Rs. 35, beetroot at Rs 30 to Rs 40, Moringa at Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per kg. Now quality beans are being sold at Rs. 100 to 120 per kg due to lack of vegetables. Mysore Brinjal is being bought at Rs. 60 to 80 per kg. Moringa which were available to customers for Rs. 40 are now being bought for Rs. 100.
Traders say that okra, which used to be sold at Rs. 15 to Rs. 20, is now being bought at Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 and quality carrots at Rs. 50.
Vegetables are supplied to Bengaluru from surrounding areas including Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, and Ramanagar. A large amount of flowers, fruits and vegetables are also supplied from Hosur in Tamil Nadu, which borders the state.
A wholesale trader in Kalasipalya Market, Sunil says that due to the recent heavy rains, a huge amount of vegetable crops have been damaged. On the backdrop of shortage of vegetables, it is now being supplied to the capital from Ooty, he says. He added that good quality brinjal is being supplied from Mysore.
Even in Hopcoms, the price of vegetable crops is increased. Hopcoms depends on the crops grown by farmers in areas around Bangalore. But now there are not many vegetables available. A senior officer in the Marketing Department of Hopcoms, informs that some vegetables are found for the convenience of consumers from other parts including Ooty. Moringa are being sold at Rs. 110 per kg and quality beans at Rs. 127 per kg. Brinjal is being sold at Rs. 84 per kg. Ooty carrots are being sold at Rs. 96 per kg, cabbage at Rs. 63, okra at Rs. 54 and cauliflower at Rs. 43 per kg.
Vegetable crops have been damaged due to heavy rains around the capital. Due to all this, the price of vegetable crops has increased in the market. In Hopcoms, the price of some vegetables has crossed the hundred mark said Umesh Mirji, Managing Director, Hopcoms.