Vegetable prices skyrocket within days in Guwahati city

GUWAHATI: As the Durga Puja festivities have commenced, the prices of vegetables have skyrocketed in the city within a few days. The prices of onion have drastically surged by Rs 30 for a kg in three days.

On October 20, potato and onion were sold at their usual proper prices. While potato was sold at Rs 36 per kg, onion was sold at Rs 50 per kg. By Friday, the price of potato reached Rs 45 to 60 per kg. Onion was sold at Rs 80 per kg on that day.

"The wholesale rate of potato is Rs 40 per kg and onion is Rs 55 to 64 per kg. Thus, the retail prices have also increased. Currently, the onion prices have hiked all across the country. There is a crisis of onions in the country markets as onion fields in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were destroyed in the recent floods. These two are among the few States who supply a major part of the onion in the country's markets," said wholeseller from Fancy Bazar.

Another seller underlined that there is a possibility of price hike until Maharashtra onion cultivation is ready to be supplied to the markets. "During the time of Diwali the onion prices may cross Rs 100 per kg," he added.

In the meantime, the onion supplies are coming from Patna, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh while the potatoes are coming from West Bengal and Agra.

"Prices of onions may decrease from November 10 as the onion supplies from Rajasthan will reach the markets," said another wholeseller.

Not only onion and potatoes, prices of other vegetables have also drastically surged within a few days. There is no vegetable available in the markets which can be brought under Rs 40. This is a huge concern for a section of families who have not yet recovered from the trauma of the lockdown.

While the prices of tomatoes ranged from Rs 60-70 per kg, the price of lady's finger was Rs 50 per kg. Potol was sold at Rs 50 per kg, arum at Rs 40 per kg, papaya at Rs 40 per kg, squash and ridge gourd (jika) at Rs 50 per kg. Carrots were being sold at Rs 160 per kg, yardlong bean (lesera) at Rs 60, brinjal at Rs 40 per kg, etc