Mumbai: Mumbaikars who were hoping for a rather in-expensive New Year, are in for a shock as wholesale and retail prices of vegetables have seen a 25-50% rise in the past few days.
Traders of Agricultural produce market committee (APMC) in Vashi blame unseasonal rain and inclement weather which damaged crops in the state leading to the price hike.
While the supply to wholesale markets has remained almost the same as last week, most of the vegetables are now coming from other states, thus pushing up rates due to the higher transportation costs.
Cauliflower was being sold for Rs 20/kg in the wholesale market last week, but on Saturday it's rate hiked to Rs 30/kg. Retail prices of cauliflower, too, shot up from Rs 40/kg last week to Rs 60/kg on Sunday.
Similarly, the retail cost of tomato, a kitchen staple, has risen to Rs 50/kg from Rs 40/kg last week; wholesale prices were Rs 20/kg last week and Rs 28/kg on Saturday.
The rise in vegetable prices has also disturbed monthly budget of Mumbaikars.
Retailers are in no better position. Unable to procure good quality vegetables, their stock goes unsold and they are forced to further raise prices to cover up the loss.
