The rising temperatures across the region have started affecting the supply of vegetables, leading to a sharp increase in market prices. Due to the intense heat, several crops are wilting before harvest, reducing overall yield and causing daily fluctuations in rates.
On Monday, April 21, garlic was sold between ₹100 to ₹120 per kg. Cauliflower and cabbage were available at ₹30 per kg, becoming the preferred choice among customers due to their durability in hot weather. Meanwhile, the price of lemons—a summer staple known for its cooling effect—remains high. Lemons are being sold at ₹5 to ₹20 each, depending on the size, with supply falling short this season.
Cluster beans (gawar) have once again become costlier, now priced between ₹100 and ₹120 per kg. Despite the general decline in demand for green vegetables, leafy items like spinach and fenugreek are still being purchased in smaller quantities. Spinach is selling for ₹20 to ₹30 per bunch, while fenugreek is at ₹30 per bunch.
Here’s a look at current vegetable rates (per kg unless mentioned):
Potato: ₹60 to ₹65
Chilli: ₹120
Tomato: ₹80
Brinjal: ₹50 to ₹60
Coriander (per bunch): ₹20
Fenugreek (per bunch): ₹15 to ₹20
Cauliflower: ₹30
Cabbage: ₹30
Sponge gourd (Gilki): ₹50 to ₹60
Ridge gourd (Dodka): ₹40 to ₹50
Okra (Bhendi): ₹50 to ₹60
Cluster beans: ₹100 to ₹120
Drumsticks (Shevga): ₹80
Lemon (per piece): ₹5 to ₹20
In the fruit market, papaya is abundant and reasonably priced at ₹40 per kg. Watermelons and muskmelons range from ₹20 to ₹30 per kg, with larger watermelons selling for as much as ₹80 each. Mango prices remain steady, with Badami at ₹120/kg and Kesar at ₹160/kg. Raw mangoes are also available in good quantity.
Traders say that leafy vegetables spoil faster in this heat, so shoppers are opting for sturdier produce like cabbage and cauliflower. With no immediate relief from the rising temperatures, both sellers and buyers are bracing for continued price volatility in the coming weeks.