PANAJI
Low arrivals in local markets and supply-side concerns have triggered a sudden rise in retail prices of coconuts, soaring to between Rs 40 and Rs 70 per piece depending on their sizes.
The sudden trend of coconut prices rising in the local markets has the potential to dampen spirits during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festive season, especially among the middle and lower strata of the population.
Several retail sellers at the Panaji market, meanwhile, indicated that prices are unlikely to ease anytime soon.
Sources at the market yards in Margao and Mapusa said the arrival of coconuts at their yards, where most of Goa’s wholesale trade happens, is sluggish in the monsoon months, which is a lean season.
“The next round of coconut plucking will only commence in September,” said one wholesale trader at the Margao market yard.
While there may be no good news on the prices of coconuts, the story is quite the reverse for vegetables in the retail markets.
Except for tomatoes, where prices have marginally increased by Rs 10 per kilo to Rs 60, several other vegetables have become cheaper compared to prices prevailing last week.
French beans, for instance, saw a significant drop in prices from Rs 120 per kilo last week to Rs 80 now. Ditto with the prices of capsicum, which also dropped by Rs 40 per kilo and was being sold at Rs 80.
The decrease in the price of chillies was Rs 20 per kilo, and they were sold at the Panaji market on Tuesday at Rs 100 a kilo.
Drumsticks, karela, cauliflower, cabbage, okra, and brinjal all witnessed a drop in prices, while onion and potato remained stable at Rs 40 per kilo.
Melon ‘Chibud’ arrive early
Mash melons, locally called ‘chibud’, have begun arriving in the markets early this year and are fetching a princely price of between Rs 150 and Rs 250 per piece, depending on their sizes.
It is a widely used fruit during Ganesh Chaturthi, used both for Matoli decorations as well as for consumption.
