After erratic monsoon, crop damage, vegetable prices zoom on supply squeeze

After a drought in Maharashtra and Gujarat reduced output last year, unseasonal rainfall this year has damaged crop; no respite in sight for consumers

The price of vegetables shot up sharply in the past month on reduced supply from major cultivating regions, as unseasonal rainfall early this year, after last year’s deficient rainfall, led lower acreage.

The wholesale price of cauliflower in Delhi jumped 50 per cent to Rs 22.50 a kg on Wednesday, compared with Rs 15 a kg a month earlier. Similarly, cabbage price in the Mumbai wholesale mandi shot up 122 per cent to Rs 20 a kg from Rs 9 a kg on April 8. Green peas have been selling at Rs 45-50 a kg in wholesale mandis, against Rs