Vegetable prices hiked manifold

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 8: Vegetable prices have been hiked manifold in the past three/four days, and the wholesalers and greengrocers have been apt to blame it on the bad weather. According to consumers, this is the game that vegetable sellers play on the eve of the Rongali Bihu every year.       

Sources at Fancy Bazar wholesale market give a lame excuse that the prices of vegetables have gone up as the current bad weather has lashed crops, leading to poor production. Retailers, on the other hand, maintain that they have no way out but to sell at higher rates as the wholesalers charge more from them.

In the beginning of April the retail price of carrot was Rs 10-15 a kg, but it is now sold at Rs 35-40 a kg. Cauliflower was sold at Rs 10-12 a kg, but it is now sold at Rs 20-25 a kg. The price of guard was Rs 30-35 a kg, but now it is Rs 40-45 a kg. Bean that was sold at Rs 20-25 a Kg is now sold at Rs 40-50 a kg. Lemon is sold at Rs 150-200 a dozen against Rs 90-100 earlier.

The retailers say that with the Bihu approaching, the prices of vegetable may go up even further.