Skyrocketing vegetable prices pinch consumers’ pockets across Odisha

Vegetable prices in Odisha markets continue to concern consumers as costs for staples like tomatoes, cabbage, and other seasonal produce remain elevated. After several days of rising rates, a slight decline was observed on Friday, but prices are still higher than normal.

Also Read: Vegetable prices soar across Odisha; customers voice frustration over rising costs

Traders cite unseasonal rainfall, which damaged local vegetable crops, and increased dependency on imports from other states as the main reasons for the high prices. Many buyers have expressed difficulty meeting daily household needs due to the steep prices, with even 500-rupee purchases failing to fill a typical grocery bag.

In Bhubaneswar’s major markets, tomatoes were sold at Rs 80 yesterday and are being sold at Rs 40 per kilogram today, cabbage at Rs 45, and beans at 50-60 rupees. Similar high rates are reported in Cuttack, with local vegetable farmers unable to supply sufficient quantities due to crop losses.

The Capital City’s major vegetable market is Unit-1 Market. Brinjal sells here at Rs 60–70 per kg, pointed gourd at Rs 80 per kg, ridge gourd at Rs 80, and bottle gourd at Rs 60 per kg.

With such high prices, ordinary consumers are worried about how to manage their kitchen needs. Traders say that a decline in local vegetable production and the dependence on imports from other states have caused the price rise.

In Cuttack’s Chhatra Bazaar, pointed gourd is Rs 70 per kg, ridge gourd Rs 80, bottle gourd Rs 70, cucumber Rs 80, ladyfinger Rs 60, and capsicum Rs 80 per kg. Consumers say that when the market receives a sufficient supply of vegetables, they do not understand why the vegetable prices are increasing.

They suspect hoarding and black marketing and blame the administration for a lack of proper monitoring.
On the other hand, due to rainfall caused by low pressure, crops have been damaged in local areas, which traders say is also keeping prices high.

Traders also noted that the onset of the wedding season has added to demand pressure. Despite minor daily fluctuations in price, high rates have become a persistent challenge for ordinary households relying on local and imported vegetables.

“Due to heavy rainfall and delay in the arrival of winter, vegetable production was low, and their prices were high. After the arrival of winter, prices of vegetables have gone down in the past 2-3 days,” President of Unit-1 vegetable traders’ outfit, Kabiraj Swain, said.

“Now, the vegetable prices are almost normal. Within the next 7-8 days, the prices will decline further,” Kabiraj Swain expressed to OTV when contacted.