The recent monsoon rains have brought hardship for vegetable growers in Chhattisgarh, causing widespread damage to crops and a subsequent surge in prices. The heavy rainfall has ruined approximately one thousand hectares of vegetable farms, leading to a shortage of supply in the markets. This has resulted in a significant increase in the prices of various vegetables, notably tomatoes, impacting consumers.
In Bilaspur and surrounding areas, prices have increased for almost all vegetables due to the destruction of local crops. Retail prices for tomatoes have reached between 50 to 60 rupees per kilogram. The wholesale price of tomatoes has jumped to 600 to 650 rupees per crate, up from 250 to 300 rupees per crate just ten days before. The main reason behind the price hike is the damage to the local crops caused by the heavy rainfall. Many vegetables previously sold at 15 to 30 rupees per kilogram are now being sold at 40 to 80 rupees per kilogram.
With local supplies of tomatoes diminishing, the markets are now depending on supplies from Bangalore. Wholesale vendors are also sourcing vegetables from various states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The wholesale prices of most vegetables range from 30 to 60 rupees per kilogram, while retail prices are between 40 and 80 rupees per kilogram.