Bengaluru vegetable prices rise: Festive demand meets deficit rainfall
With the festival season set to begin, vegetable prices in Bengaluru have climbed, driven by a combination of deficient rainfall, reduced sowing, and heightened festive demand. The price surge comes ahead of Varamahalakshmi on Friday, followed by Ganesh Chaturthi, affecting wholesale and retail markets across the city.
Gangadhariah, a vegetable trader at Kalasipalya vegetable market, said onion prices have risen sharply in the wholesale market over the past week. “Last week, the price of onion per kg ranged between ₹17 and ₹28 depending on quality and size. Now it has increased to ₹32–35 per kg depending on quality. In retail, it is ₹50 to 55 per kg, and first-grade ones have gone up to ₹60 per kg,” he stated.
He attributed the rise to low stock and reduced rainfall, which have coincided with the season of high demand. “Onion is used in most dishes prepared at home, so demand is high. Less rainfall and less stock in the market have led to a price surge during the festival season. We usually depend on Maharashtra for onions, and this year we will have to purchase more than the expected load that arrives every year,” he added.
Vishwanath Patil, president of Jai Kisan Wholesale Vegetable Market in Belagavi, noted that while rain is beneficial for farmers, it poses challenges for traders. “We purchase onions and tomatoes from Maharashtra and Chitradurga respectively. However, if it rains, half of the stock will get wet and rot away in crates even before it reaches us. In such a case, prices of these vegetables will increase, impacting consumers,” Mr. Patil explained.
Valliammal, a vegetable vendor in Vasanth Nagar, said retail prices have been rising for the past two days in anticipation of the festivals. She also addressed a common misconception about vendor earnings. “People think that vegetable vendors earn well by charging more for vegetables. But on festivals, we do not earn a profit of even ₹100 because the prices at wholesale markets or APMC mandis are also high. On normal days, after deducting expenses, we easily gain profits of ₹200–400 per day,” she said.
Sharing current price details, she said, “At present, onion is ₹50–55 per kg depending on size and quality. Last week, it was ₹40 per kg. Tomatoes, which were ₹30–35, are now priced at ₹40–45 per kg, while bajji chilli is ₹70 per kg and will increase up to ₹80–90 per kg on Thursday and Friday. Green chilli, which was ₹60 per kg, has increased to ₹80 per kg. Beans is ₹90 per kg, and carrot has risen from ₹70 to ₹88 per kg.”
The price escalation this year is attributed to deficient rain, high demand, and low stock in wholesale markets. As the festival season continues, consumers are likely to face higher prices for essential vegetables in the coming days.
