Sunday, 16 JUNE 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
With temperatures remaining higher than normal in Dehradun and elsewhere in the State, the prices of vegetables have also escalated by an average of 10 to 15 per cent. Many customers have voiced their concern regarding the surge in prices of staple vegetables like onion, lemon, capsicum and others. Senior inspector of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Ajay Dabral has attributed this price rise to the adverse impact of heat waves and rising temperature on vegetable production, resulting in damage to crops in some areas.
Notably, vegetable prices in Dehradun have steadily risen over time, with onions now being sold at Rs 40 per kilogramme compared to Rs 23 to Rs 30 per kilogramme in the recent past. Additionally, the price of lemons has soared to Rs 200 per kilogramme while a similar trend of increase in prices for other vegetables like capsicum and ginger is also being witnessed.
Vegetable seller Ramesh Dev stated that with the commencement of the heat wave and summer season, the prices of vegetables soar every year. Similarly, the prices of vegetables have increased this year too. During the summer season, vegetable crops are often damaged, affecting the supply in many regions. This shortage of supply leads to a rise in vegetable prices. He further emphasised that consumers are adjusting their vegetable purchases based on priority and changing the quantity purchased according to the prices.
Several vegetable sellers have noted the rise in vegetable prices due to rising temperatures. In addition to the sellers, consumers have also expressed concern regarding the price rise.
A customer Reena Kumari expressed her concern about the significant increase in vegetable prices this summer. She said that her family enjoys dishes with ginger, but unfortunately, the price of ginger has risen to Rs 320 per kilogramme. Due to this, she has resorted to using only a pinch of ginger instead of the usual quantity. She also noted the escalating prices of other vegetables.
Dabral told this correspondent that vegetable prices typically rise during the summer season. Currently, vegetables like ginger, capsicum, onion and lemon have all seen a rise in their price due to crop damage resulting from the high temperatures. He pointed out that the reduced onion supply from regions like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh has also contributed to the increased price of onion. The rise in temperature has impacted vegetable prices by an average of 10 to 15 per cent. It is anticipated that relief to the customers from the high prices of vegetables may come at the end of June with the onset of the monsoon season, he added.
