As rains dig in, veg prices rock boat of household budget

Colva/Panaji: Prices of essential vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and potatoes have soared in recent days, a rise vendors attribute to the damp weather that comes with the southwest monsoon.

At the Panaji market, onions are being sold for Rs 50/kg, while tomatoes and potatoes sell for Rs 80/kg and Rs 40/kg respectively. In Margao, the three vegetables are being sold for Rs 45/kg, Rs 60/kg, and Rs 40/kg respectively.

“These staple vegetables have become considerably more expensive due to adverse weather conditions affecting major suppliers in Karnataka and Maharashtra,” said Varca-based vegetable vendor Salim Rajab Ali.

Milind Mangeshkar, who manages a vegetable outlet at Margao’s SGPDA market, said “The delayed monsoon has disrupted sowing schedules, exacerbating the situation”. He fears that until the new crop arrives, prices may continue to climb.

Apart from these vegetables, spice crops such as garlic and ginger are being sold at Rs 320/kg and Rs 200/kg respectively. Rajab Ali told TOI that vendors such as himself are barely breaking even, and sell at prices that reflect their own procurement costs. “Leafy greens are also visibly affected,” he said, brandishing a bundle of spinach, the price of which has risen from Rs 5 to Rs 15 per bunch, although the bunch itself is now smaller.

French beans have also seen their price double from Rs 120/kg to Rs 200/kg in Panaji and Margao.

Beyond the economic impact, the skyrocketing prices are leading to larger concerns about food security and sustainability in Goa. “With most vegetables costing over Rs 50/kg, managing a week’s groceries within a Rs 500 budget has become nearly impossible,” said consumer Sudha Nair.

Another consumer, Neelima S, highlighted practical challenges faced by consumers reflecting on the supply chain’s fragility in the face of climatic uncertainties. “As traditional weather patterns shift and extreme conditions become more frequent, the vulnerability of agricultural systems becomes increasingly apparent,” she said. “There is a need for innovation in agricultural practices to mitigate the impact of future fluctuations in weather patterns.”