Rising vegetable prices burn holes in consumers’ pockets in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The rising vegetable prices have dealt a blow to the consumers as the mean price of the consumables hover around Rs 60 a kilo gram in Odisha.

The buyers are having a tough time especially during COVID-19 times where the income of many has taken a beating.

In the capital city, the retail price of brinjal, tomato, lady finger, pointed gourd, ridge gourd and bitter gourd is above Rs 50 at several places. The poor man’s vegetable potato is being sold at Rs 30 per kg here, which was below Rs 20 a week ago.

“As if the COVID-19 pandemic was not enough, price rise of vegetables has now posed a big challenge to our existence. The fuel price hike consecutively for nearly three weeks has had its effect on essential items. Vegetable prices have shot up to Rs 60. I don’t know how long this will go on,” Binayak Samal, a consumer expressed.

The traders attribute the steep price rise to the incremental graph of fuel price, among other factors.

“Three factors are largely responsible for the recent price rise. The cyclone Amphan has resulted in crop loss and subsequent low farm output. Movement of goods from outside states has been affected due to the COVID-19 restrictions on movement of vehicles. Thirdly, the price rise is also a major factor,” Debendra Sahu, secretary of Chatrabazar Vegetable Market Association said.

Chatrabazar vegetable market is one of the largest hubs in the state which supplies essentials to places in coastal districts in particular.

Scene was no different in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Khurda, Nayagarh, Jajpur, Bhadrak and other places.

Worth mentioning, petrol price crossed the Rs 80 mark in Odisha capital today with the price being hiked for over 20 straight days. In Bhubaneswar, petrol price rose to Rs 80.71 per litre after an increase of 58 paisa per litre. Similarly, the diesel price also witnessed an increase of 32 paisa taking it to Rs 78.36 per litre.