Vegetable prices soar in Hubballi-Dharwad ahead of Deepavali

HUBBALLI: The rising price of vegetables is burning a hole in the pockets of people in the festive season.
There is no sign of a drop in prices before Diwali for people who had to pay high prices during Dasara. Prices of brinjal, green chilli, potato and other vegetables are still priced between Rs 60-70 per kg. Onion and tomatoes prices have gone up to Rs 80 to 100 per kg in the local market.
Vegetable prices have shot up by Rs 25 to 30 each in recent days, said Renuka Aralikatti, a resident of Deshpande Nagar.
“Many people buy more vegetables during festivals like Diwali and vendors are encashing it by increasing prices,” she said.
Demand for brinjal, tomato, potato, beans and capsicum has increased in recent days and all of them are being sold at Rs. 80 to 100 per kg.
Parvati Kamble, a vegetable vendor in Janata Bazaar, said vegetable prices were higher during Dasara. “Due to floods and rain, we were unable to get enough vegetables during Dasara and prices were around Rs100 to 120 per kg. But now the rain has stopped and vegetables from surrounding villages are reaching the Hubballi market, bringing down prices marginally,” she added.
Most of the vegetables come to Hubballi from Navaloor, Gamangatti, Tadasinkoppa, Varur, Katnur, Mavanur, Giriyal, Chabbi, Kusugal, Shivalli, Hebballi and other surrounding villages within 20 to 30km from the city.
According to a potato trader in APMC, Hubballi, when vegetables prices increase dramatically, people automatically look for potatoes, driving the root vegetable’s price up too.