Wednesday, 13 April 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
People buying fewer vegetables & fruits due to higher rates
The price of vegetables and fruits has risen considerably in the recent past due to various factors in Dehradun. The rise in the price of vegetables and fruits has both the vendors and consumers worried. As many consumers are buying lesser quantities of these items, the vendors have seen a drop in sales.
Generally, the rates of fruits and some other items rise during the Navratri due to increased demand for the same. However, days after the conclusion of Navratri, the prices of most fruits and vegetables have remained high.
Lemons are among the costliest items in the market at present with a kilogramme being sold for Rs 300 to Rs 360. A kilogramme of onions is being sold at Rs 30-40, tomato for Rs 30-40, ladyfinger for Rs 100-120, ridged gourd for Rs 100, bitter gourd for Rs 80-100, cauliflower for Rs 50-60, brinjal and bottle gourd for Rs 40-60, French beans for Rs 100-120 and capsicum for Rs 80-100 in the market.
Among fruits, a kilogramme of pomegranates is being sold for Rs 120-150, apples for Rs 130-140, oranges for Rs 120-140, grapes for Rs 120-150, papaya for Rs 40-60 and banana for Rs 50-70 a dozen.
Vegetable vendor Vimal Kumar said,”The rise in the price of petrol and diesel has affected our business very badly. People are not purchasing green vegetables. They’re choosing soya nuggets- a cheaper packed food item instead.” Another vendor Wahid Ahmed said, “People are buying fewer fruits because of high prices. For example, before inflation they were buying an average of 2.5 kilogrammes of apples, but now they only take less than a kilogramme. This is very upsetting,” he added.
