It is arguably the best piece of news for harried Mumbaikars in quite some time. Costlier piped gas and hikes in auto and taxi fares had sent household budgets, reeling under high food prices, for a toss. Now, after being on an upward spiral for months together, prices of vegetables have finally come down.
Prices of most vegetables have dipped by Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg in the past couple of weeks, bringing back smiles on the faces of customers. Many who enquired with local vendors about the sudden dip were informed that "stocks were aplenty" in the wholesale market at Vashi. Since the supply was more, the traders decided to go for a price correction.
Said Ashok Keharwal, a wholesale dealer in potatoes and onions, "Except for potatoes, onions and a few other items, prices of most vegetables have come down since mid-July. As for onions, the price would dip only after the Ganesh festival season, when farmers flood the market with fresh stocks. Potatoes may see a correction next February." Vegetable trader Yudishtir Chaurasia said, "Due to heavy rains, it is not feasible for hoarders to stock vegetables. It is released in the retail market, thereby creating more supply and bringing down prices."
Prices of lady's finger, cauliflower and cabbage were in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg until the first week of July. It is now available for Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg, depending on the quality of the vegetable. "If you are among the last few customers for the day, you can also bargain for as low as Rs 15 per kg,'' said Sanjit Jaiswal, a hawker. Prices of tomatoes were as high as Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg in June. It can now be bought in the range of Rs 24 to Rs 30 per kg from your roadside vendor.
Said vendor Rajesh Yadav, "In the month of shravan (during the monsoon), several customers go on a month-long fast. They abstain from eating many vegetables and that is another reason why prices dip during this period." Another vendor Ravindra Tiwari, in the business for 34 years, said, "Prices usually go up during summer and were skyrocketing in March, April and May."
Capsicum is cheaper by 25% and yam (suran) by a whopping 50%. The Indian tendli which was available for more than Rs 40 per kg is now as low as Rs 24 per kg. Green chilli sales have picked up after prices dropped by 20%, said Rajendra Prasad Kushwaha, in the chilli trade for three decades.
Most markets are flooded with bottle gourd, whose prices have come down by Rs 5 to Rs 10, said vendor Rampyare Gupta. He added the prices may not remain constant as the markets were unpredictable after August. "The prices could spiral again,'' said Keharwal, adding Mumbaikars should make the best of the present opportunity.
For those who prefer salads, this is the best time to buy cucumber, tomatoes, carrots and beetroots. You can also squeeze some lime on your dishes, which is now 50% cheaper. "We hope for more buyers. Usually, there is a drop in customers during heavy rains,'' Tiwari added.
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