In Hyderabad, vegetable prices have experienced an uptick following last week's floods in Andhra Pradesh and heavy rainfall in Maharashtra. This has notably impacted the cost of various vegetables, with onion prices reaching Rs 70 per kg in the retail sector, and expectations of further increases. The absence of domestic onion production in Telangana has led to reliance on supplies from Maharashtra, which have been adversely affected by the weather conditions.
Conversely, green chillies have seen a price decrease, with retail prices ranging from Rs 50 to 60 per kg, despite wholesale prices in Andhra Pradesh being as low as Rs 15 per kg. Traders from Bowenpally vegetable market have been purchasing green chillies from Andhra Pradesh and selling them at the Vantimamidi vegetable market in Wargal mandal at Rs 150 per 10 kg. However, the local green chilli crop has suffered from the yellow virus and black thrips infestation, leading to significant losses and ongoing damage to the crop, as reported by Nagaraju, a farmer from Mulugu mandal in Siddipet district.
The floods in Andhra Pradesh have not only damaged crops but also disrupted the supply chain, contributing to the price hikes. In Hyderabad's Rythu Bazars, the prices of various vegetables such as okra, carrots, and French beans are noticeably higher in retail markets. While tomatoes have maintained a degree of price stability, the overall situation is expected to persist for a month or more until new crops can be sown and harvested, a process estimated to take at least 40 days, according to traders.
Source: The Siasat Daily