KARACHI: After Eidul Azha, the prices of vegetables have hit a new peak amid rising demand ahead of 9th and 10th Muharram.

The prices of one kilogram of onion and tomato have risen to Rs80 and Rs70-80, respectively, from Rs60 and Rs50.

Shimla Mirch (capcisum) is now being sold at Rs150-160 per kg as compared to Rs120 per kg. Just a week before Eid it was available at Rs100 per kg.

One kilogram of onion is available at Rs80 compared to Rs60 a few days ago

Vegetable dealers have been demanding Rs160 for one kg of Turrai (ridge gourd). A day before Eid, it was available at Rs140-150 while one week before Eid it was sold at Rs80-100 per kg.

One kg of Tinda (apple gourd) also costs Rs160 compared to Rs120 per kg.

The per kilo price of Loki (bottle gourd) rose to Rs100-120 from Rs60-80.

Cabbage (bund gobhi) prices remained unchanged at Rs80 per kg.

Lady finger (bhindi) prices increased to Rs160-200 per kg from Rs100-120 per kg. The price of bitter gourd (karela) rose to Rs160 per kg from Rs100-120 per kg.

Lemon is available at Rs200 per kg, while prices of cucumber (kheera) hover between Rs100 and Rs120 per kg as compared to Rs60-80 a few days back.

The prices of good quality ginger remained pegged at Rs400 per kg compared to Rs320 ahead of Eid.

No change was seen in the price of garlic which stands at Rs280-320 per kg.

“Before every religious occasion, prices of vegetables go up especially when supplies from the producing areas are also short,” said a vegetable retailer.

Sometimes improved supplies kept prices stable even in high demanding seasons, he said, adding that the gap in demand and supply coupled with end and start of a new crop also put prices under pressure.

Amid the price hike, the role of the government remained restricted to its offices instead of protecting the rights of consumers by issuing official price list on a daily basis and ensuring the implementation of official rates.

The chairman of the Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market New Sabzi Mandi on Superhighway, Haji Shahjehan, said that the problem still existed in onion as only Balochistan crop was finding its way to all over the country.

He said that good quality was available at Rs60 per kg while medium quality was being sold at Rs40 per kg.

He said the prices might reduce with the arrival of the Sindh crop next month.

Tomato was arriving from the Balochistan crop and its wholesale rate was Rs40 per kg, he said, adding that imported items like ginger and garlic were costlier due to rupee devaluation against the dollar.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2019