SHILLONG, July 2: The common vegetable is slowly disappearing from the common man’s plates, thanks to the remarkable appreciation in prices in the last few days.
The skyrocketing price of vegetables has hit the whole country and Meghalaya is no different. There’s not one single reason for this surge but the word in the markets across the city is that floods in Assam have resulted in lesser stocks reaching the wholesale markets but at a significantly higher cost.
The Shillong Times conducted a survey of the local markets on Saturday and found that the price of common vegetables is more or less the same in almost all the markets except for Iewduh which still remains the most affordable for citizens.
Three weeks back, the price of carrot, brinjal and tomato was Rs 40 per kg at Iewduh market but now it has gone up to Rs 80-100, almost double or more.
The price of capsicum and beans was Rs 70 per kg and Rs 80 per kg in Iewduh market. These are now priced around Rs 120-140 per kg.
Cauliflower, costing Rs 50 to Rs 60 earlier, is now available for Rs 120 per kg while the price of okra has more than doubled from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 80.
The price of bitter gourd has risen 300% from Rs 30 to Rs 120 per kg while cabbage price has gone up from Rs 25 to Rs 50.
Pointed gourd, selling earlier at Rs 30 per kg, is now priced at Rs 80 per kg while cucumber prices have double to Rs 50 per kg.
Surprisingly, the price of squash (chayote or piskot) has also gone up from Rs 20 to Rs 50-60, depending on where you purchase them from.
Vegetable vendors say they have no option other than increasing the price since they have to take into account the transport expenses and also charges for loading and unloading of the goods.
They claim rise in the price of vegetables is a common phenomenon during the rainy season.
Even fruits are being sold at premium prices. Apples are being sold for Rs 250-300 per kg; bananas are Rs 120 a dozen while mangoes cost Rs 150 or more per kg, especially for the Langra variety.
With Lumpy Skin disease and African swine fever taking its toll on meat lovers, and imported fish coming under the radar for alleged use of formalin, broiler chicken is also being sold at a higher price.
The price of live chicken is between Rs 180 and Rs 200 per kg, across various markets while dressed chicken is selling at Rs 340 per kg. It was earlier priced at Rs 320.
Meat sellers are also complaining about shortage in the supply of goats. Mutton is priced at is Rs 700 per kg.
Most of the markets have stopped selling beef over fears of Lumpy Skin Disease. Butchers who are still selling them are demanding anywhere between Rs 450 to Rs 600 per kg, depending on the cut and the market. Pork is selling at Rs 420 per kg in all the markets in the city.
Some consumers making their daily purchases in various markets told The Shillong Times that the biggest problem is the lack of regulation on pricing by the district administration.
They have questioned the absence of a price list outside shops selling vegetables, fruits or meat.
Zahir Mahmood, who runs a workshop at Keating Road, said his family has decided to skip vegetables because of the soaring prices. “We hope the prices come down soon,” he said.
Ibahun Shabong, a domestic helper, lamented the difficulties faced by families with a single breadwinner like her. “It has become to take care of my family. We mostly have potatoes in our kitchen since most of the vegetables have gone beyond my purchasing capacity,” she said.
Bannehskhem Marbaniang, a daily labourer, said they have stopped eating vegetables. He was unsure if the prices will come down soon.
Vicky Rai, a grocery store owner in Laitumkhrah Market, said “Prices have gone up exponentially in the last one month. Even the price of rice has gone up by Rs 200-250 per quintal.”
B Lyngdoh, who was selling vegetables on the footpath, said, “Those of us who sell on the streets will not survive…we buy from the market and sell here but the price in the markets has gone up. I don’t know how to manage.”
Laitumkhrah resident Anima Nath who was buying vegetables in the market said, “The middle class people are facing the biggest problems. The salary is the same but the prices have gone up. We need to eat and we can’t do without vegetables.”