After essential commodities like rice, dal, edible oil, wheat, flour, and other grocery items, the prices of vegetables have also skyrocketed in the Odisha market.
The skyrocketing prices of vegetables and essential commodities have affected the budgets of lower middle-income groups and economically weaker families.
As per reports, vegetables that were available at Chhatra Bazar market in Cuttack at Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg a couple of days back are now being sold at Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg.
While the price of brinjal has now gone up to Rs 50 per kg, the price of bitter gourd has skyrocketed to Rs 80 per kg. Similarly, prices of pointed gourd and onion have surged up to Rs 50 and Rs 40 per kg respectively.
The price of ridge gourd has gone up to Rs 50 per kg. Apart from potatoes, prices of all other vegetables have witnessed a steep price rise.
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Not only Cuttack, prices of vegetables are also in an upward trend in the Berhampur market. Prices of most of the vegetables have gone beyond Rs 50. While the price of okra has increased to Rs 50 per kg, spine gourd is now available at Rs 70 per kg.
"Prices of vegetables have seen an uptick as supply has reduced. Due to the heat and humid conditions and lack of rainfall for a long period, the production has been affected in the State.
"Supply from districts across Odisha and also from other states like West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka have reduced and thereby significantly increasing the prices," said a vendor at Chhatra Bazar market.
"Hopefully, the prices of vegetables will reduce after an increase in local production following rainfall," he added.
"As wholesale prices of vegetables have gone up due to lack of supply, the retail prices have also skyrocketed," said a vegetable vendor in Berhampur.