Vegetable prices crash in mandis on bumper crop

Experts estimate 10-15% rise in vegetable production this year; lower food inflation likely

Data compiled by the government-owned National Horticulture Board (NHB) showed 76.19 per cent decline in the price of cabbage, which is trading currently at Rs 2.50 a kg in the Ahmedabad wholesale mandi. Similarly, cauliflower in Kolkata mandi shed 76.74 per cent since December 1 to trade at Rs 5 a kg.Vegetable prices crashed by as much as 76 per cent during the past five weeks due to a sharp increase in arrivals, following harvesting of new season crops and lower inventory building by stockists amid fears of short shelf life.

Despite such a drastic decline in wholesale mandis, retail prices