Agartala: Vegetable Prices Soar, Pinch Pockets of Buyers
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Jul 22, 2024
- 423
Along with vegetables, the prices of potatoes and onions are also on the rise in Tripura. Buyers are facing the heat of the high price in the local markets. Traders are blaming import dependence in the case of vegetables.
The price of almost every vegetable has increased by Rs 15-20 per kg. This situation has been going on for the past three months. In between 2-3 days, the price decreases slightly and then jumps up to the height. Meghalaya and Assam are to be looked to for shrimps, patals, bitter gourds, cockles, brinjals, dals, barbati, tomatoes. Pumpkin is coming from Bangalore.
Traders are clear that if there is a disruption in import for 1-2 days due to any reason, it is bound to have an adverse effect on the local market. No wonder the price has gone up by Rs 5-10 per kilogram. It is not possible to continue business by looking towards local production.
At present, the price of almost every vegetable is Rs 80-100 per kg. Rs 110-120 per kilogram if you want fresh vegetables including large size eggplants.
The price of potato and onion has increased 4 times in 7 months of this year. Buyers argue that there is no reason for such a change in 7 months at the source. Besides, there is cold storage. It is normal for prices to go up and down twice a year. There will be some crisis in time until the stock of the crop is exhausted and the new crop is in the market
What is going on in the state with potatoes and onions this year is inconsistent with common sense. Traders are increasing the prices by making some excuse. At this time, potatoes are being sold at the price of Rs 40 per kg in Agartala city and nearby markets. Onion Rs 45-50 per kg. Common buyers alleged that the situation has become more chaotic after the state government suddenly fixed the price of potatoes at Rs 35 per kg. Poor, moderate, good quality. The shopkeepers are keeping the goods in this way. The prices of rotting potatoes and onions are being asked in accordance with the government rates. This is how the legal matter is settled. Buyers have to buy things at that higher price.
Allegedly wholesalers of Agartala Maharajganj market are unwilling to cut the memo and sell the goods. And even if the memo is cut with hundreds of requests, the price is lower than the actual selling price. Officials should go to wholesalers to conduct raids. But not going there for some unknown reason.
The potato traders are in uncertainty about what will be the condition of the bargain in the coming days. Most of the potato requirement of the state comes from Dhupaguri in West Bengal via Guwahati. Jalandhar potatoes come in winter. The West Bengal government has taken a somewhat strict stance on potato production, arguing that production is low. And that's where traders are seeing ominous signals. If the quantity of goods coming from Dhupaguri decreases, there will be a big difference in supply and demand. There will be no opportunity to meet the deficit by importing from other states. As a result, the price of potatoes in the market is bound to increase