Prayagraj: Monsoon rains have disrupted vegetable supplies, causing prices to surge 30-40% in just three days, affecting household budgets. Wholesale market traders warn that vegetable and fruit prices will continue to rise.Vegetable prices have skyrocketed across Sangam City, with potatoes selling at Rs 35/kg and tomatoes at over Rs 40/kg. Other affected items include garlic, green chilies, sponge gourd, capsicum, ginger, lady fingers, and jackfruit, with price hikes seen in various markets like Rajapur, Rajruppur and Katra.“Vegetables are largely grown in trans-Ganga and trans-Yamuna areas in the district, and the rain damaged the crops at various stages — from flowering to fruiting to harvesting. This led to a lower supply in the market,” said Sant Kumar, a trader, adding, “Farmers are bringing to the market whatever they could save from the rain.” Prices of onions and cauliflower have also increased by 10% to 15% in retail vegetable markets in the past 72 hours. Earlier, the price of one kg of onions was Rs 20, and now it is being sold at Rs 30 or 35. Similarly, the price of sponge gourd, which was earlier sold at Rs 20, is currently sold at Rs 50 per kg.Vendors are struggling to supply produce due to market disruptions, leading to skyrocketing prices in the retail market. Leafy greens like spinach and coriander have doubled in price, with residents now paying ₹10-15 per bundle, up from Rs 5 earlier. “We have no choice but to shell out the extra money,” said Anjali, a Civil Lines resident.Lady finger prices have doubled, from Rs 20 to Rs 40 in four days, due to high demand from hotels, says Aditi, a homemaker from Meerapur. Tomato prices have also surged due to disrupted supplies from Karnataka and Maharashtra caused by rains. To cope, citizens are shifting to cereals and pulses, cutting back on expensive vegetables. “We’ve had to adjust our budget and prioritize essentials,” says Alka Mishra, a Rajapur resident.
