In the city of Vijayawada, vegetables prices are increasing in the face of increasing demand and declining supply from other states and districts. Over the past two months the prices of numerous vegetables have increased, namely: tomatoes, potatoes, carrot, gherkins, beans, bitter gourd, beetroot, capsicums, as well as others. Whereas the price of cucumbers, lady's fingers and bottle gourd have remained unchanged.
Important events in Vijayawada, like marriages, housewarmings and shop openings in April, contributed to the increasing demand and consumption. On Tuesday 26 April tomatoes were selling at Rs 20 a kilo at the Swarajya Maidan Rytu Bazaar.
Swarajya Maidan Rytu Bazaar is the biggest Rytu Bazaar in the city. More than 10,000 customers attend the Rytu Bazaar every day. In the last week of February tomatoes cost only Rs 7 a kg.
Tomatoes are mostly imported from Madanpalle in Chittoor district. Tomato is also cultivated in Western Krishna district and parts of Guntur district. The price of carrot also jumped from Rs 24 a kg in February to Rs 30 in April. Bean prices shot up from Rs 14 in February to Rs 24 in April.
Capsicum prices shot up from Rs 36 a kg to 47 in two months. Beetroot prices increased slightly from Rs 18 to 20 a kg. Gherkins prices also shot up from 10 to Rs 16 in two months. Prices of green chili also rose from Rs 26 to 38.
Swarajya Maidan Rytu Bazaar estate officer M Srinivasa Sastry said the prices of most vegetables increased in two months and are expected to increase further in the summer as production will come down. Meanwhile, the prices of vegetable at K Market in One Town and the municipal market in Satyanarayanapuram were much higher compared to the Swarajya Maidan Rytu Bazaar.
The prices of vegetables at these markets are between Rs 15 to Rs 30 a kg. Some vegetables like capsicum and carrot are sold at higher prices. Retailers, who sell veggies on bicycles and push cart are selling them at exorbitant prices in the city.
