Vegetables Cry Amidst the Rain: Coriander at ₹400 and Lemons at ₹180, Supply Disrupted Due to Floods in the State

For the past 10 days, Gujarat has been experiencing continuous rainfall. In some areas, extremely heavy rain has caused flooding, while in others, roads have been submerged, halting transportation. The rain has also significantly affected daily life. 

Additionally, the heavy rainfall has caused extensive damage to crops, and essential items like milk and vegetables are becoming difficult to obtain in several districts. In cities like Ahmedabad and Rajkot, two days of torrential rain have led to severe flooding in low-lying areas, while the prices of vegetables have increased due to the heavy rainfall.

To understand the reasons behind the disparity in vegetable prices and supply, Divya Bhaskar visited the vegetable markets in Ahmedabad and Rajkot, speaking with traders to assess the current situation.

Disruption in Vegetable Supply from Nearby Rural Areas

According to Riyaz Memon, a vegetable trader in Kalupur, there has been a sudden increase in vegetable prices and a decrease in supply in the market. Vegetables are usually sourced from nearby rural areas such as Dahegam, Kheda, Nadiad, and Daskoi. 

However, due to heavy rainfall causing extensive damage in Kheda and surrounding districts, roads have been severely affected, and transportation has been disrupted. As a result, vegetable trucks have been unable to reach the Ahmedabad market, leading to fluctuations in prices and supply.

Increase in Vegetable Prices: Wholesale and Retail Market Trends

Salmanbhai, a vegetable trader in Kalupur, reported that over the past 10 days, the price of various vegetables has increased by ₹10 to ₹20. Onions, which are primarily sourced from Nashik in Maharashtra, have seen a significant decrease in supply due to heavy rainfall in the region. 

As a result, the wholesale price of onions has risen by ₹12 to ₹15 per kilogram within a week, while retail prices have surged by up to ₹20.

In Ahmedabad, vegetables are typically sourced from nearby villages and districts. However, with reduced supply, prices in the wholesale market have increased by up to ₹20 per kilogram for various vegetables.

Challenges in Vegetable Supply and Price Hikes in Rajkot

Surukhaben, a vegetable vendor in Rajkot with 50 years of experience, has highlighted the difficulties caused by the recent heavy rainfall. The supply of vegetables has been disrupted, and if the situation persists, even items like spices, bakala, and coriander may become unavailable. 

Currently, the prices are as follows: bhindi (okra) at ₹60 per kilogram, tomatoes at ₹80, brinjal at ₹80, and cauliflower ranging from ₹200 to ₹300. Coriander is priced at ₹400 per kilogram, and bitter gourd is ₹60 per kilogram.

Due to the significant increase in prices, consumer demand has decreased. Before the rains, vegetable supplies were adequate, but now, due to reduced supply and the need to procure goods at higher prices through black markets, prices have risen. 

Despite the challenges of navigating through waterlogged areas, vendors like Surukhaben continue to bring and sell vegetables to meet market demands.

Potential for Price Drop After Diwali as New Vegetable Supplies Arrive

Rambhai, another vegetable trader in Rajkot, reported that the prices of vegetables have risen due to decreased supply caused by the recent rains. Currently, lemon prices have reached ₹160-180 per kilogram, tomatoes and brinjal are priced at ₹80-100, cabbage at ₹60-80, green chili at ₹100, and ridged gourd at ₹60 per kilogram. 

The rainfall has disrupted not only external supplies but also local produce from Gujarat, causing significant difficulties.

Vegetables that are typically available year-round, like coriander, have seen a price increase to ₹300 per kilogram, while ginger is at ₹200. The price hike has led to reduced consumer demand. On a daily basis, Rambhai purchases ₹15,000-20,000 worth of vegetables, with half of it often spoiling and needing to be discarded.

Despite the current high prices and reduced supply, Rambhai, who has been in this business for 10 years, anticipates a decrease in prices after Diwali as new supplies become available.

Current Wholesale Prices of Vegetables in Ahmedabad

Here are the current wholesale prices of various vegetables per kilogram in Ahmedabad:

• Potatoes: ₹40-50
• Onions: ₹50-60
• Cabbage: ₹30-50
• Cauliflower: ₹80-100
• Bottle Gourd: ₹20-30
• Green Chilies: ₹50-60
• Cluster Beans: ₹80-90
• Ridge Gourd: ₹70-80
• Tomatoes: ₹40-50
• Carrots: ₹40-50
• Cucumbers: ₹30-40
• Okra (Bhindi): ₹60-70
• Corn (Bhutta): ₹70-80
• Raw Bananas: ₹40-50
• Ginger: ₹180-190
• Lemons: ₹40-50
• Coriander: ₹160-180
• Bell Peppers (Capsicum): ₹220-250
• Beetroot: ₹60-80
• Maize: ₹40-50
• Pumpkin: ₹20-30
• Saragvo: ₹80-100
• Fenugreek (Methi): ₹170-200
• Spinach (Palak): ₹160-180

Difficulty in Obtaining Vegetables and Milk: A Resident’s Struggle in Vadodara

Manoj Ghosh, a resident of Kalali in Vadodara, reported severe difficulties in obtaining essential supplies like milk and vegetables. He mentioned that they have to travel five kilometers from their home to buy vegetables. The area around his home is flooded, making it impossible to even reach the office. 

Due to the lack of vegetables at home, they risk venturing out to find supplies, but even then, vegetables are hard to come by, requiring them to travel long distances. They have also had to bring bottles of drinking water along with them.

Struggles to Find Vegetables Amidst Rising Prices: A Resident’s Perspective in Vadodara

Namrata Ben, a housewife in Vadodara, shared that while the increase in vegetable prices is challenging, the greater issue is the difficulty in finding vegetables. She explained that despite the price hikes, the real problem arises when they go out to buy vegetables, as they often find that vegetables are not available at one place and have to travel to another location. 

This has caused considerable distress. Namrata Ben hopes that once the floodwaters recede quickly, their problems will come to an end.

Limited Vegetable Supply and Rising Prices Due to Rain: A Trader’s Challenge

Rameshbhai, a vegetable trader, reported that the prices of vegetables have increased due to the heavy rains. 

He explained that finding vegetables in the market has become difficult, which has further driven up prices. As a result, they are able to bring in and sell only a limited quantity of vegetables.