Aurangabad, Nov 8:
Prices of vegetables, which crossed Rs 100 last month, are now down by Rs 20-30. Leafy vegetables are also getting Rs 5 a bunch and the trend of city dwellers towards buying vegetables has increased again. Due to Diwali, the crowd at the grocery stores has also increased. Prices of all groceries were stable last week.
Now the arrival of vegetables has increased in Jadhavwadi agriculture produce market committee (APMC). Leafy vegetables are being sold in wholesale markets for Rs 10 for a bunch of four. A bunch of Fenugreek was sold for Rs 10 to Rs 15 last month. Fenugreek is the most widely sold vegetable. As its price falls, so do the prices of other vegetables. Guar and cauliflower, which were priced at Rs 80-100 per kg last week, are now selling at Rs 60-80 per kg. Okra sold at Rs 80-60 per kg is priced at Rs 50-60. However, brinjal is being sold at Rs 60 to 80 per kg as it is expensive by Rs 20 to 30. Gradually the cold is increasing. This has increased the demand for pearl millet (bajra). This year, heavy rains caused severe damage to bajra. About 50 per cent of the crop in the farms has turned black. At present, millet is priced at Rs 15 to Rs 18 per kg.
Millet will become more expensive
Consumers prefer to eat millet in winter. This will increase the price of good quality millet after Diwali said wholesaler Harish Pawar.
Vegetables cheaper
The influx of vegetables from rural areas has increased. This led to lower prices of leafy vegetables. This has affected prices of other fruits and vegetables, said vegetable seller Raju Mali.
Pulses prices need to come down
Pulses prices have gone up. However, now that leafy vegetables have become cheaper, we are buying more leafy vegetables than pulses, said homemaker Sulbha Deshpande.
Price of almonds and figs drops
Due to the increase in imports of almonds from the US, the price has come down by Rs 100 per kg. Almonds are being sold for Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 per kg. The price of figs has come down by Rs 100 and are being sold for Rs 900 to Rs 1,400 per kg. However, cashew prices are stable at Rs 900 to Rs 1,600.