The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Manchar recorded a surge in vegetable prices on Sunday, with chillies selling at ₹70 per kg (approximately $0.84), okra at ₹40 per kg ($0.48), and ridge gourd at ₹55 per kg ($0.66). However, lemon prices saw a steep drop, falling by 50% from ₹70 to ₹30 per kg ($0.84 to $0.36). Onion prices remained largely stable.
According to Nilesh Thorat, Chairman of the Ambegaon Taluka APMC, the market received a total of 3,961 bags of vegetables on Sunday. Farmers from Ambegaon, Shirur, and Junnar talukas frequently bring their produce to the Manchar market, where traders from Surat, Mumbai, and Pune buy vegetables through commission agents. APMC directors Somnath Kale and Ram Gawde assured farmers that they would receive immediate payments upon the sale of their goods.
The current market prices for vegetables per 10 kilograms are as follows: okra ranges between ₹150 and ₹400 ($1.80 – $4.80) and ridge gourd between ₹200 and ₹550 ($2.40 – $6.60).
On March 30, the APMC received 7,433 bags of onions, with prices ranging from ₹160 to ₹170 per quintal ($1.92 – $2.04 per 100 kg). Despite the ongoing festive and wedding season, which usually boosts demand, onion farmers remain disheartened due to stagnant prices. Many farmers are compelled to bring their crops to market amid financial pressure.
There is some optimism on the horizon, however, as the central government announced the removal of the 20% export duty on onions, effective April 1. Govind Dnyaneshwar Khilari, an onion farmer from Bharadi (Ambegaon), expressed hope that this policy change would lead to better prices in the coming weeks.
Source: The Bridge Chronicle