PUNE: As prices of leafy vegetables are increasing, Puneites have started feeling the pinch. The worst affected is the leafy plant, coriander, which is used to add taste and as a dressing. A bundle of coriander is priced between Rs 50 to 60 followed by fenugreek (methi) Rs 30, dill (shepu) and spring onion Rs 20 to Rs 30 per bundle. Blame it on monsoon and various diseases that attack crops, the price rise will continue for sometime, said market experts.
Prices of these leafy vegetables have increased since past 15 days by Rs 10 to 20. “In the last few days, prices of all leafy vegetables have increased, especially kothambir and methi, which is currently priced at Rs 50-60 and Rs 30 per bundle respectively.”
“The prices of kothimbir have shot up by Rs 10 to Rs 20 while methi price has increased by Rs 10,” said Sagar Ghumatkar, a vegetable vendor at Mahatma Phule Mandai.
Ganesh Karpe, another vegetable vendor, blames monsoon for the spoiling of crops. He said, “Due to less supply of leafy vegetables in the market, prices have increased. It usually happens this time, as during monsoon, due to excessive rain, crops get spoiled. All the leafy vegatable prices, such as kothambir, shepu, methi and spring onions, have increased. The price of Shepu has increased by Rs 10.”
“This week, the supply of all leafy vegetables has reduced by 30 to 40 per cent. Last week, supply of coriander was 93,715 bundles, however, this week, it was at around 70,000. Except for tomatoes, prices of all vegetables such as bhindi, karli, gawar and cucumber have increased,” said (APMC) Vegetable and Fruit Head, Baba Bibwe.
Bibwe further said, “The cost of ginger and garlic has also increased due to increase in demand. ”
“A lot of leafy vegetables, which come to Pune, are from Pune district and Satara. Due to continous rain, there is excessive water in the field and these leafy vegetables, especially methi, kothambir and shepu get spoiled due to that,” said Vegetable Growers Association of India President Shriram Gahave.
