Mumbai is witnessing a sharp rise in vegetable prices due to a significant drop in supply, impacting household budgets across the city. Prices have increased by INR 2 to INR 5 at the wholesale market of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. However, the impact is more severe in the retail market, where prices have surged dramatically, with vegetables being sold at rates between INR 100 to INR 120 per kilogram, compared to earlier prices of INR 50 to INR 60 per kilogram.
The primary reason cited for this surge is a significant reduction in the arrival of vegetables at the market, attributed to environmental changes and adverse weather conditions. A representative of the vegetable sellers stated, “Vegetable prices have spiked due to reduced supply, largely driven by climate change, which has adversely affected crop yields.” Typically, the APMC market receives a substantial supply of vegetables from Pune, Nashik, and Kolhapur, along with imports from neighbouring states like Gujarat and Karnataka. Around 700 vehicles deliver fresh produce to the APMC wholesale market every day. However, on Wednesday, only 560 vehicles arrived, marking a significant decrease in supply.
The reduced supply, coupled with climate-related production challenges, has led to a rise in wholesale vegetable prices by INR 2 to INR 5 per kilogram. For instance, peas, which are priced at INR 19 per kilogram in the wholesale market, are being sold at a staggering INR 320 per kilogram in the retail market. Similarly, cauliflower prices have increased from INR 32 per kilogram in the wholesale market to INR 120 per kilogram at retail outlets. Sellers indicate that climate change has had a considerable impact on vegetable production, resulting in a decline in the availability of produce.
This scarcity has, in turn, led to a sharp increase in prices, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to afford essential vegetables. With prices doubling or even tripling in some cases, consumers are feeling the pinch. Many are urging authorities to take action to ensure fair pricing and manage the crisis effectively. The current scenario underscores the broader challenges posed by climate change on agriculture and the ripple effects on urban food supply and cost.
