For consumers who are already coping with unaffordable fish prices due to the annual ban period, coupled with increasing prices of chicken and eggs, the rise in vegetable prices is a big dent in their pocket.
With the soaring mercury shying away from giving any relief to the common man, vegetable vendors have already increased the prices of some essential veggies by as much as 15 per cent.
Tomatoes which were Rs 30 per kg until last week are now sold at Rs 40 per kg. Onions are sold at Rs 35 per kg as against Rs 30 last week, while the price of potatoes is Rs 35 as against Rs 25. Coriander leaves are sold at Rs 40 each as against Rs 20, which is a 100 per cent rise. Carrots are sold at Rs 60 per kg in the Panjim market.
Not forgetting spices like Kashmiri chillies, which are now being sold at Rs 200 per kg and the prices are expected to go up to Rs 240 per kg.
On the other hand, prices of Goan green chilles, which are now Rs 360 per kg ,will go up to Rs 400 in the monsoon.
Aba Pandit, a local retailer in the Panjim market said that pre-monsoon showers in neighbouring districts have spoiled vegetables, bringing in less quantity in the market. “During the monsoon, prices of vegetables will further increase due to shortage of supplies,” he added.
With the fishing ban, the staple food of Goans has become a nightmare. Prices of kingfish are pegged at Rs 750 per kg, which during the season was around Rs 500 to 550 per kg. Six small mackerels are sold at Rs 200, while large sizes are sold at three for Rs 200.
Prices of pomfrets are as high as Rs 1500 per kg, while prawns vary from Rs 350 kg to Rs 600 kg depending upon the size.
