23 Oct 2020  |   05:12am IST

With rains destroying farms in neighbournig States, vegetable prices in Goa have shot up

State Horticulture Corporation is trying to minimise impact and sell them at subsidised rates; Vendors worried about items rotting in the rains given not many venturing out in large numbers to shop

Team Herald

The exorbitant rate of onions for instance, amid the ongoing Navratari festival season has affected the kitchen budget of households. Even restaurateurs are complaining about it. The vegetable vendors are expecting the prices to rise further in the days to come. With more showers likely across Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra region, the situation may be worrisome

PANJIM: The prices of almost all the vegetables have shot-up across the State markets, as well as horticulture outlets, after torrential rains destroyed farms in the neighbouring district of Belgaum. 

The onions, which were sold at Rs 40 kg until a week back, are now priced at Rs 100-120 per kg in the open market whereas government is making it available at subsidized rate of Rs 72-74 per kg. 

The exorbitant rate of onions for instance,  amid the ongoing festival season has affected the kitchen budget of households. Even restaurateurs are complaining about it. 

The vegetable vendors are expecting the prices to rise further in the days to come. With more showers likely across Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra region, in the next two days, the situation may be worrisome. 

A vendor in Panjim market informed that the tomatoes are being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg as against Rs 30 per kg, while the potato prices remained constant and are available at Rs 40-50 per kg. 

“With the Navratari festival, vegetables are sold in large quantities. Despite high rates, people, are buying it, as they do not have any other option,” the vendor said, while adding that ‘the heavy rains destroyed crops in Belgaum as a result of which, the prices are skyrocketing in the wholesale market itself’. 

“Plus the transportation charge makes us shell out additional Rs 20-30 per kg of vegetables,” the vendor added. 

Ladyfingers are sold at Rs 80-100 per kg, so also the carrots. Cabbage as well as cauliflower, which were Rs 20 -40 per kg, is today available at Rs 80 per kg. 

Another vendor said that vegetables are getting spoiled on alternate day since they rot due to rains. “Last two-three days, large amount of vegetables have been getting wasted as customers buy in limited quantity. The leftover items are getting spoiled very soon,” vendor said. 

The Goa Horticulture Cooperation Managing Director Sandeep Phaldesai said that they are currently procuring onions from Indore-Madhya Pradesh. “The transportation takes long time and by the time it reaches Goa, majority of the quantity get spoiled. Also, sudden rains on the way also worsen the situation,” he said.