The beginning of the Karthika month has brought a sharp rise in vegetable prices across Visakhapatnam, leaving households struggling to manage their budgets. Recent floods in the region have severely impacted crops, leading to significant supply shortages in the local markets. ADM Yasheen explained that the floods destroyed vast swathes of farmland, causing a scarcity of several essential vegetables.
While staples like potatoes, tomatoes, and onions have seen relatively stable prices so far, they are expected to rise in the coming days as supply dwindles. As of Monday, tomatoes retailed at ₹42 per kg in local markets, with a slightly lower price of ₹38 per kg at Rythu Bazaars. Other vegetables have seen a more drastic surge; for example, brinjal varieties are currently priced between ₹240 and ₹252 per kg, and lady’s finger (okra) is retailing at ₹32 per kg, or ₹28 per kg at the Rythu Bazaar.
Many households are finding that even ₹2,500 barely covers five or six types of vegetables, a supply insufficient for a week’s consumption. The natural disasters have delayed vegetable arrivals from other states, which has added to the shortage. Retailers, seeing an opportunity, have inflated prices to take advantage of the situation, further burdening consumers.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by farmers and consumers alike, as unpredictable weather patterns continue to impact essential food supplies. For many families in Visakhapatnam, the escalating prices have made it difficult to access basic, nutritious food, adding to the economic stress of the festive season.
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