Vegetable prices soar in Bengaluru as heat and rain hit supply

Unseasonal rains and scorching heat have damaged crops in Bengaluru, causing vegetable prices to surge. Supply to major markets has dropped, with items like beans, peas, and bananas seeing steep hikes, burdening consumers.

Bengaluru: Unseasonal rain and intense sun have damaged crops, causing vegetable prices to surge by up to ₹40/kg compared to last week. Consumers are hesitant to buy as prices of beans, peas, ridge gourd, cauliflower, lemon, cucumber, and other vegetables escalate. Broad bean prices have also increased due to the end of their season. This price hike, along with already inflated coconut prices, is adding to the burden on Bengaluru's poor and middle-class population.

The supply of vegetables to Kalasipalya and Dasanapura markets has decreased. The scorching heat and recent unseasonal rains have caused vegetables to rot. Wholesale prices have increased, impacting retail markets like KR Market, Gandhi Bazaar, Malleshwaram, and Yeshwanthpur, where vegetable prices are now exorbitant.

Sudden banana price hike

Cloudy weather and rain have delayed the harvest of certain vegetables. Consequently, the yield of green chillies, yard-long beans, bitter gourd, and other vegetables has decreased. Field beans have been replaced by hyacinth beans in the market, priced at ₹300–₹350/kg. Leafy greens like fenugreek, drumstick leaves, dill, and spinach have also been affected by the rain, leading to a sudden price surge. Banana prices have surged sharply, now ranging between ₹80 and ₹100 per kilogram.

Onions at ₹1400/quintal

Rain has caused onions to rot, forcing farmers to sell them at whatever price they can get. At the Yeshwanthpur APMC, Karnataka onions are priced at a maximum of ₹1400/quintal, while Maharashtra onions are at ₹1800/quintal. Retail prices range from ₹35 to ₹40/kg. Meanwhile, average-quality onions and tomatoes are being sold at ₹100 for 5 kg.

Current vegetable prices (₹/kg)

Vegetable prices in Bengaluru have surged significantly, with beans priced at ₹80–₹90/kg, onions at ₹35–₹40/kg, peas at ₹140/kg, ridge gourd and capsicum at ₹60/kg each, and lemons at ₹7 apiece. White brinjal is selling for ₹36/kg, round brinjal at ₹28/kg, green chili at ₹56/kg, and bitter gourd at ₹64/kg. Double beans are at ₹115/kg, garlic at ₹175/kg, cabbage at ₹22/kg, and tomatoes at ₹20/kg. Cucumber is priced at ₹46/kg, while drumstick leaves and fenugreek leaves are at ₹80 and ₹85/kg respectively. Okra is at ₹44/kg, and hyacinth beans have reached a steep ₹300–₹350/kg.

"The sun and rain are causing vegetables to rot, and the supply has decreased. This has led to higher vegetable prices compared to last week.” — Nanjappa, Vegetable Vendor, Vijayanagar