Ranchi: The prices of fruits and vegetables increased steadily in markets across the capital over the past week, putting additional pressure on household budgets.Traders said prices of all major fruits and several vegetables have risen, with retail outlets witnessing some fluctuations. The price rise stems from transportation problems and cold weather conditions, they said.Guava, previously priced at around Rs 100 per kg, is now being sold at Rs 120 per kg. The price of Kashmiri apples has also surged from Rs 120 per kg to Rs 160 per kg, while another premium variety is selling for Rs 240 to Rs 320 per kg. Oranges are currently selling for Rs 80 to Rs 120 per kg.Pomegranates, previously priced at around Rs 120 per kg, are now selling for Rs 160 to Rs 220 per kg. Grapes also became costlier. Black grapes are being sold at Rs 240 to Rs 280 per kg, up from the earlier price of around Rs 200 per kg, while green grapes increased from Rs 100 per kg to Rs 120 to Rs 160 per kg.Shankar Prasad, a fruit vendor on Ratu Road, said apples, grapes and pomegranates have seen the steepest hike in recent days, causing sales to slow as customers buy in smaller quantities.Vegetable prices have also risen this season. Common vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd, drumstick, jackfruit, ridge gourd and pointed gourd are seeing higher prices.Pointed gourd touched Rs 200 per kg, up from Rs 160 to Rs 180. Drumstick is now priced between Rs 140 and Rs 160 per kg, up from Rs 120 earlier, while jackfruit is selling for Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg, compared with Rs 70 recently. Bitter gourd is selling in the range of Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg, up from Rs 70. Beans are selling for Rs 160–200 per kg, while green chillies have risen to Rs 50–60 per kg from Rs 40–50.According to vendors, overall price trends will depend on arrivals and weather conditions in the coming weeks. But for now, consumers are likely to continue feeling the pinch at fruit and vegetable counters.However, some vegetables are still available at relatively lower prices like cauliflower, which is selling at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg, peas at Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg, beans at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg, carrots at Rs 15 to Rs 25 per kg, cabbage at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg and onions at Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg.Payal Kumari, a consumer, said, “Vegetables like pointed gourd, drumstick and bitter gourd became too expensive for daily use. We are now depending more on cheaper vegetables like cauliflower and peas to manage my expenses.”Manish Kumar, a vegetable seller at the Nagababa Khatal, said, “Vegetable prices have gone up mainly due to fewer arrivals, transportation issues and weather fluctuations, which have affected supply in the local markets. “Rahul Kumar, an owner of a mess in Lalpur, said, “The rise in vegetable prices has increased our daily expenses. Managing meals at the mess has become difficult without raising prices.”
