Soaring prices of fruits, vegetables, pulses burn holes in consumers pockets

Aurangabad, Oct 18: The rise in prices of vegetables, fruits and pulses has broken the common man''s backbone. Almost all vegetables, fruits and pulses have gone out of the common man''s reach and there seems to be no immediate respite for the people from price inflation. Prices of vegetables are already high with onions costing Rs 70-80 a kg, while retail prices of pulses have recently registered a steep spike. Vendors said that if shortage continues, onions will be sold for up to Rs 100 during Diwali.

Retail price of moong dal has also crossed the Rs 100 per kg mark, from Rs 90 a few days ago. The prices of vegetables have come down a bit due to the influx from the surrounding rural areas last weekend, but fenugreek and safflower vegetables are still being sold for more than Rs 12. Taking advantage of rains, the dal mill owners immediately increased the prices of pulses. As a result, retailers have to pay Rs 110 per kg for tur, green gram and urad dal. Prices of gram flour have gone up in the face of chana dal rate rise.

A kg of gram flour now costs Rs 90 in the retail market, as against Rs 70-80 a fortnight ago. With the festivals, the prices may further increase. Also, the current shortage can be attributed to the demand from restaurants increasing with the government allowing dine-in services. With the onset of Navratri, the demand for fruits has increased.

The prices of Chiku, custard apple, and Guava have started rising as the production is declining. The rise in prices came after pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes were removed from the list of essential commodities.