Vegetable prices in India are anticipated to remain elevated until June, influenced by above-normal temperatures. A CRISIL report attributes this persistence to erratic weather patterns and climate change, underscoring the susceptibility of vegetable prices to environmental variables. Despite efforts involving the creation of buffer stocks and vegetable imports to mitigate this issue, the perishable nature of vegetables diminishes the efficacy of such interventions.
The lack of sufficient infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, further hampers price stabilization endeavors. As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, India confronts heightened risks to vegetable production and pricing, exacerbated by extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and storms, in addition to rising temperatures intensifying pest issues. The fiscal year 2024 has seen notable vegetable inflation volatility, with significant price surges in not only tomatoes and onions but also in garlic, ginger, brinjal, parwal, and beans.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com