Soaring vegetable prices keep buyers away

BERHAMPUR: The southern districts are experiencing an unusual trend when its comes to buying and selling of vegetables. The markets in the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal are stocked with all varieties of vegetables but the soaring prices are keeping the consumers away. The skyrocketing prices have burnt a hole in the consumer’s pocket.The four districts produced   different varieties of vegetables which met around 40 percent needs of their respective areas in the past. But, frequent natural calamities reduced the production to a great extent and now all the four districts depend on neighbouring states.The southern districts depend on Ranchi for tomato, on West Bengal for brinjal and on Andhra Pradesh for other varieties.This year the prices of vegetables have increased in the last ten days, said Bhaskar Sahu, a wholesaler of Bada Bazaar vegetable market here. Sahu, who deals in cauliflower, cabbage, bitter gourd and drumstick, said the vegetables are being procured from Andhra and as the prices were enhanced at the supply point, he is bound to sell them with minimal profit. Surprisingly, Parlakhemundi in Gajapati district may be nearer to Andhra, but the vegetable prices here are higher than other districts.