PANAJI
Unseasonal rains have affected the availability of vegetables in several parts of the country including Goa with prices soaring in the wholesale and retail markets.
The price of most vegetables except potato and onion had increased with wholesalers and retail vendors estimating a further hike in the coming days.
Wholesaler Sandeep Rai who has a chain of vegetable outlets in the State said prices in the Belgaum wholesale market -- a prime source of supply to Goa -- had increased due to unseasonal rains.
He disclosed that plantations of around 50 kilometres in Belagavi had been affected due to heavy rains. Besides crops in Nasik and Kolhapur were also destroyed.
The effect could be seen at the outlets of the horticulture department.
Bhendi which was sold at around Rs 17 a kg in September was now priced at Rs 85-90 a kg. So also cabbage was Rs 42, carrot Rs 62, chillies Rs 38, onion Rs 40 and tomato were being sold at Rs 85 a kg.
Potatoes and onions were the only veggies that were reasonably priced.
The impact of rains was however, not much on fruits as they were sourced from States which were not affected by the rains.
