Explained: Why retail vegetable prices are soaring in North India

In the last 15 days, prices of common vegetable staples like cauliflower, peas, tomatoes, onions and potatoes have gone up significantly. India Today TV's Manjeet Sehgal finds out why.

The vegetable prices have soared high in North India in the last 15 days. Common vegetable staples like cauliflower and peas have become out of reach for the common man.

The peas, which were being sold at Rs 120 per kg 15 days ago, are now available at Rs 150 per kg. Similarly, cauliflower prices doubled from Rs 50 to Rs 100 within two weeks.

Potato prices have also witnessed a rise between Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg. The popular Chip Sona potatoes, being sold at Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg last month, are now available at Rs 40 per kg. The price of Pahadi (Himachal) potatoes has also witnessed a rise of Rs 20 per kg. These potatoes were available at Rs 30 per kg a fortnight ago and they are now being sold at Rs 50 per kg.

Two common vegetables, onions and tomatoes, have also seen a sharp rise during the past fortnight. Onion prices have doubled from Rs 20 per kg to Rs 40 per kg. Tomato prices have also increased from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg.

Vegetables which are still affordable

While the prices of some vegetables have seen a sharp rise, prices of some vegetables like soya beans and cucumbers have dropped.

Cucumber prices reached Rs 40 per kg last week but now they are available at Rs 20 per kg. Soya bean prices have also dropped from Rs 80 to Rs 40. Other vegetables like bell pepper, green chillies, eggplant and bottle gourd are between Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg.

Vegetable supplies from plains to bring down the prices

The vegetable traders attribute the price rise to the short supply from Himachal Pradesh. Some vegetables normally come from Himachal Pradesh during the offseason. Peas, tomatoes, cauliflower and potatoes are being supplied from Himachal which is not able to meet the demand.

"Peas and cauliflower are being procured from Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Even there the supply is short and has to be distributed among several cities in North India. The short supply has led to the price rise. Some vegetables like tomatoes are also in short supply due to inclement weather," Ashok Gujjar, the president of the Chandigarh Small Vegetable Traders Association told India Today TV.

Ashok Gujjar blamed the shortage of onion supply on monsoon mayhem in Maharashtra. “The prices of onions have soared due to erratic supply following the floods in the Nasik area. We have received some trucks with rotten stock,” Ashok Gujjar said.

The traders hope that the situation will improve after the supplies are available from local Punjab and Haryana farmers. However, it may take another fortnight or more for the prices to come down.