PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
With the wedding season having started, the rising costs of vegetables have become a major concern for the residents of Dehradun. They reported that every year during this time, vegetable prices spike due to heightened demand. As a result, many have reduced their vegetable purchases to manage their household budgets. Consequently, numerous vegetable vendors have noted a decline in their sales volume.
Vegetable vendor Ramesh Kumar said that during this time, often referred to as the wedding season, the demand for vegetables goes up, which in turn influences their prices. This year follows the same trend, with the price of tomatoes increasing to Rs 50 per kilogramme from Rs 30 per kilogramme. Additionally, peas are currently priced at Rs 200 per kilogramme, while carrots cost Rs 120 per kilogramme. The rising prices of vegetables have had an impact on their sales, as customers have reduced the quantity they purchase, he noted. Many other vegetable vendors have voiced similar concerns. Additionally, some vendors have decided to exclude certain higher-priced vegetables from their stalls to minimise losses.
On this issue, a local resident, Sarita Sahni said that the increasing vegetable prices are troubling. This trend has been apparent every year as the wedding season approaches in November and December, leading to a spike in vegetable prices that affects ordinary residents like herself. She said that to cope with this situation, she has managed to reduce her vegetable purchases. If vegetable prices continue to rise in the future, she plans to shift her focus more towards pulses instead of vegetables.
“I have adjusted my vegetable purchases due to the rising prices. With the wedding season already underway, I anticipate that the prices will continue to climb,” stated another resident, Kiran Verma.
She further emphasised that, considering the heightened demand, authorities tend to raise vegetable prices. She believed that to address this issue, the authorities should explore alternative solutions instead of consistently increasing prices every year during the wedding season.
