50% surge in veggie prices across Mumbai Metropolitan Region as heatwave hits supply

Mumbai/Navi Mumbai: Vegetable prices have surged across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by an average 50% since early May. Intense summer heat and reduced supply are compounded by spoilage during storage and transportation. Green leafy vegetables and slender beans that wilt under the harsh sun are particularly costly.

On Thursday in Pedder Road, Andheri, Khar, Matunga, Borivli and Navi Mumbai, french beans sold for Rs 200 per kg. They were selling for Rs 130-170 in Navi Mumbai a week ago. Green chilli, earlier Rs 100 per kg, is 50% costlier at Rs 150. Tomato, which ordinarily costs Rs 25 per kilo, has doubled to Rs 50-60. Lemons, which serve to prepare cool sherbets and salads during the warm months, are available for Rs 5-7 apiece.

Greengrocer Harishchandra Jaiswal of Andheri East said, "French beans have soared to Rs 200, tomato is Rs 60 and all green leafy vegetables are costlier. A big bunch of coriander is selling for Rs 40-60 per bundle up from Rs 30-40. But this summertime inflation is an annual upsurge which will subside with the advent of the monsoon."

Matunga vendor Nitin Munnalal Gupta said, "Papdi beans and cauliflower have risen from Rs 60-80/ kg to Rs 100-120. Thin slender vegetables like french beans and gavar have spiralled to Rs 200 and Rs 120-160 respectively. Leafy vegetables are also costlier by Rs 10-20 a bunch." Gupta says Matunga is a hub of the Gujarati community which likes to purchase various types of beans and gourds. “Conversely slum residents buy half kg or 1 kg of a single vegetable and dispense with their family needs," he said.

On Thursday, the APMC Market in Vashi reported a 20-30% drop in arrivals. Traders expect high prices to persist for the next few weeks until pre-monsoon rains bring relief or new supply stabilises the market.

"The price rise is linked to heatwave conditions that have damaged crops and reduced yields in supplying regions such as Pune, Satara, Solapur and Nashik. High mercury levels have also caused vegetables to spoil rapidly during transport," said APMC wholesaler Balasaheb Badade.

Reduced arrivals at APMC are attributed to lower volumes, with many farmers taking a break for new seasonal sowing while waiting for the arrival of monsoon, said another trader Manish Sanas. Water scarcity in some areas has also affected cultivation.