This story is from November 5, 2019

Nashik rain leaves bitter taste in Mumbai as vegetable prices soar

Nashik rain leaves bitter taste in Mumbai as vegetable prices soar
Nashik: The supply of vegetables to Mumbai and Thane has been drastically affected because of the constant rains over the past couple of weeks in Nashik, causing the prices of many kitchen essentials to spiral.
The prices in the wholesale markets of Nashik, which is popularly known as the state capital’s kitchen supplier, have soared by almost 35% in just a couple of days.

Coriander, the aromatic herb common in Indian kitchens, has become extremely pricey over the past couple of days. A bunch of coriander, which was selling at Rs 30-40 in the wholesale markets last week, is now commanding a steep price of Rs 170 at the Nashik Agriculture Market Produce Committee (APMC).
Also, the usual going rate of Rs 35 for a kg of brinjals had jumped to Rs 45 by Sunday evening. Similarly, a bunch of methi, was seeling for Rs 35 compared to the usual rate of Rs 20.
Traders from this north Maharashtra city said about 500 tonnes of vegetables are supplied to Mumbai from Nashik every day. However, a bulk of the standing vegetable crops were damaged in the recent rains. As a result, the daily supply has dropped to around 325 tonnes.
“Most vegetables such as spinach, coriander, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, chilli and other green vegetables are supplied to Mumbai from Nashik every day. But the supply has come down by around 35% due to unseasonal rainfall,” said trader Ranjat Shinde.

An official from agricultural department said apart from the standing crops, the recent heavy rain has severely damaged vegetables on 14,061 hectares in the district. The damage will increase if the rain continue, the official added.
The Nashik APMC is the wholesale market for green vegetables in the district. On an average, around 600 tonnes of vegetables are auctioned daily here. Every day, approximately 150 trucks loaded with vegetables go off to different parts of Mumbai and Thane from Nashik.
The drop in supply from farmers has sent the vegetable prices soaring in the retail markets. APMC officials said the rain had damaged standing vegetable crop and it had led to rise in wholesale prices by 30-35%.
“Vegetables are supplied to Mumbai from Nashik. However, this supply to Mumbai has been hit. Farmers were also unable to bring their vegetables to the market due to the rainwater in their farms,” said S Jadhav, an APMC official. He added they were hoping that the situation will improve over the next few days.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA