Pune: Continuous rainfall in Pune district and surrounding areas has caused significant delays in crop harvesting, leading to a substantial decrease in vegetable supplies to the market yard.

Only 40 percent of the usual supply has been recorded, causing a 10 to 20 percent drop in wholesale vegetable prices. However, retail prices have surged due to the limited availability of quality produce.

Rain-drenched and substandard vegetables, which spoil quickly, have forced retailers to reduce their purchases. Some retailers have closed their shops due to the adverse weather conditions. The vegetable market will remain closed on Saturday (27th).

Retail prices for vegetables have escalated, with prices ranging from 100 to 140 rupees per kilogram, while leafy greens are being sold for 30 to 50 rupees per bunch, according to Prakash Dhamdhere of the retail vendors' association at the market yard.

Group leaders Nitin Chaure, Dadasaheb Wargade, Deepak Thopte, and Santosh Kumbharkar are managing the fruit and vegetable department.

The persistent rain in Pune and its neighboring areas has significantly impacted the supply of vegetables to the market yard. The supply has been dwindling over the past four days, reaching only 40 percent of the usual volume on Friday (26th), reported Balasaheb Konde, head of the fruit and vegetable department of the market committee.

Due to the expectation of poor sales amid the rainy weather, street vendors are purchasing fewer vegetables. Once the rain ceases, the supply of farm produce is expected to normalize, stated Amol Ghule, former vice-president of the Traders Association.