Bengaluru: Unseasonal rain and weather disturbances have caused a sharp spike in vegetable prices across Bengaluru, with wholesale rates at KR Market hitting unprecedented levels. Despite being the city’s go-to location for cheaper produce, even KR Market witnessed massive price escalation on Saturday.
KR Market was packed with buyers hoping to find affordable vegetables, but traders confirmed that prices have doubled due to crop damage caused by unpredictable rainfall and cyclone impact.
Drumstick Touches ₹600/kg — Traders Alarmed
One of the most shocking increases is the price of drumstick (moringa), which is being sold for ₹550–₹600 per kg.
Only two shops in the entire KR Market had drumstick in stock, and even that limited quantity was expected to be sold out before noon.
Traders say the sudden scarcity is because Tamil Nadu, a major supplier, has suffered heavy crop losses due to severe cyclone conditions.
• Bengaluru typically receives 100 tonnes of drumstick daily from Tamil Nadu.
• Now, supply has fallen to 30–40 tonnes, a drop of nearly 60%.
Other Vegetables Cross ₹100 Mark
Several commonly used vegetables have also crossed the ₹100 barrier:
- Tomatoes: ₹50–₹60/kg
- Beans, Double Beans, Broad Beans: ₹80–₹120/kg
- Ridge Gourd, Beetroot, Carrot: ₹80–₹100/kg
Wholesalers warn that retail prices in local street markets and pushcarts will be 20–30% higher.
If wholesale prices spike, retail inflation becomes unavoidable.
Cyclone Impact + Weather Variability = Supply Crisis
With cyclone-driven heavy rain in Tamil Nadu and erratic weather across southern states, vegetable arrivals to Bengaluru have dropped sharply.
November–December is also peak season for:
- Weddings
- Festive events
- Large family functions
Demand usually surges during this time, but supply disruption has created an acute mismatch, pushing prices higher.
Traders say many households are already avoiding drumstick:
“At ₹600/kg, people prefer to skip it entirely. Even a pair of drumsticks costs ₹100 now,” one trader said.
Residents are bracing for further spikes if weather conditions don’t stabilize in the next few days.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಚಂಡಮಾರುತದ ಪರಿಣಾಮ—ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕೆಆರ್ ಮಾರ್ಕೆಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ನುಗ್ಗೆಕಾಯಿ ₹600/ಕೆಜಿ
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