With Goan farmers harvesting a wide range of vegetables such as Bhindi, Gavar, Tamdi Bhaji, and Val in large quantities, the demand for imports from Belagavi has reduced drastically. This overlap in supply has led to a glut in the market, pushing prices down to unsustainable levels.
At the APMC wholesale market in Belagavi, tonnes of vegetables remain unsold, reflecting the severity of the crisis. Traders say that not only has the supply increased due to favourable rainfall last year, but demand has also weakened considerably.
Restaurants in both Belagavi and Goa ” traditionally bulk buyers ” have reduced procurement, further worsening the situation.
“This is a very tricky situation in recent years,” said wholesaler Aditya Patil. “Around this time, arrivals are usually high, but this year the yield has been exceptional. At the same time, Goa’s own harvest has reduced its dependence on Belagavi. This has drastically affected supplies to Goa and led to a crash in prices.”
Adding to the crisis, traders point to external factors such as disruptions linked to tensions in Gulf countries, which have reportedly affected cylinder supplies and, indirectly, restaurant demand.
“With bulk buyers missing from the market, arrivals are far exceeding demand,” said wholesaler Balu Pote. “The slowdown in restaurants in Goa and Belagavi has hit us hard.”
Prices at the wholesale market paint a grim picture: tomatoes are selling at Rs 8“10 per kg, carrots at Rs 10“12, coriander at as low as Rs 3“4, while onions and potatoes have seen steep declines.
With many unable to recover even transportation costs, traders are advising farmers to delay harvesting wherever possible.
