Unseasonal Rains Impact Leafy Vegetable Supply and Prices in Pune

Pune, 20th May 2024: The unseasonal rains have led to a noticeable decrease in the supply and quality of leafy vegetables in Pune, causing a surge in prices for high-quality produce. On the other hand, increased imports have driven down the prices of peas, coarse chillies, and chillies by 5 to 10 percent. Traders have also reported stable prices for fruits and vegetables overall, despite some fluctuations.

On Sunday, the wholesale market at Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard saw the arrival of 90 to 100 truckloads of fruits and vegetables from various parts of the state and beyond. This included shipments from Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Specifically, 10 to 12 tempos of green chillies from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, 6 tempos of Totapuri mangoes from Andhra Pradesh, and 4 to 5 tempos of cabbage from Gujarat and Karnataka were received. Additionally, 4 tempos of Ghewda beans, 3 tempos of beans, 5 to 6 tempos of drumsticks, and 5 to 6 truckloads of peas from Himachal Pradesh were reported. The market also received 10 truckloads of garlic from Madhya Pradesh.

From the Pune Division, significant quantities of other vegetables were delivered, including 500 to 600 sacks of ginger, 6 to 7 tempos of okra and guar each, 8 to 9 thousand boxes of tomatoes, 4 to 5 tempos of green chillies, 10 to 12 tempos of capsicum, 8 to 10 tempos of cucumbers, 5 to 6 tempos of cabbage, and 8 to 10 tempos of flowers. Additional shipments included 5 to 6 tempos of carrots, 10 to 12 tempos of red pumpkins, 5 to 6 tempos of gavran mangoes, 100 to 125 sacks of groundnut legumes, 100 trucks of onions, and 40 truckloads of potatoes from Indore, Agra, and local regions.

In the market yard, prices for all leafy vegetables, including coriander, fenugreek, and onions, have risen by 10 percent in both wholesale and retail markets. On Sunday, the market received one lakh bundle of coriander and 60 thousand bundle of fenugreek. Wholesale prices for various leafy greens were reported as follows: coriander at Rs. 700 per bundle (100), radish at Rs. 800 to Rs. 1500 per bundle, amaranth at Rs. 400 to Rs. 700 per bundle, chuka at Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per bundle, chawlai at Rs. 300 to Rs. 700 per bundle, and spinach at Rs. 800 to Rs. 1600 per bundle.

Traders have noted that the increase in leafy vegetable prices is a direct result of the reduced supply and compromised quality due to the unseasonal rains, while the stability in fruit and other vegetable prices is attributed to the balanced import levels.