TV
With the onset of Sawan and persistent rainfall across Odisha, vegetable prices have soared sharply, leaving consumers struggling to manage daily household expenses. In the Bonai market in Sundargarh, most vegetables are now priced above Rs 100 per kg, with only tomatoes available below that mark.
Prices Soar Across Common Staples
Pointed gourd is selling at Rs 100 per kg, ridge gourd at Rs 80, drumsticks at Rs 100, okra at Rs 80, spine gourd at Rs 100, ivy gourd at Rs 80, and tomatoes at Rs 50 per kg. Local vendors attribute this price surge to crop damage caused by continuous rains in recent days.
Buyers Express Deep Concern
“All the vegetable prices have skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for us to buy them. Only tomato is available under Rs 100, otherwise, every other vegetable’s price has reached past Rs 100. Due to the month of Sawan, vegetable prices were already high, and incessant rains damaged crops, so they soared even more. However, for middle-class people, it is very tough to manage household expenses with the vegetable prices soaring so high,” said one customer at the market.
Another buyer shared similar concerns, stating, “The soaring prices are a major issue for us. Even Rs 500 cannot fill a small bag with vegetables. I would request the government to intervene and take some steps so that middle-class people would be able to afford staple vegetables.”
Vendors Cite Crop Loss And High Purchase Rates
A vegetable vendor at the market explained, “The vegetable prices have soared very high due to the incessant rains in recent days, damaging the crops. We are not selling anything out of our own wish. Even we are buying these items at high prices ourselves. If we are selling a vegetable at Rs 100, then we are buying it at Rs 80.”
