Pune: As people ushered in the festivities, the supply of vegetables in Market Yard reduced by 30 per cent on Sunday. As per Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), the supply will normalise only after Wednesday.

“Due to rains, the supply of vegetables in the market has been affected since a couple of weeks and with Diwali festivity, there were less vegetables in Market Yard on Sunday. Therefore, rates of most green vegetables have increased to Rs 80 per kg,” said Ashutosh Sangle, a vegetable vendor.

Less supply due to Diwali
“The supply of vegetables was 30 per cent less compared to usual Sundays. This Sunday, due to Diwali and festival time, many farmers did not come with their produce. On Sundays, 1,500-1,600 vehicles of vegetables come to Market Yard,” said Baba Bibwe, Vegetable and Fruit Head, APMC.

“However, this Sunday, there were only 1,300 vehicles out of which only 600 vehicles were for green vegetables. Usually there are 800 to 900 vehicles of green vegetables, therefore there was increase in price of vegetables. There were only 271 vehicles of onion and potato,” said Baba Bibwe.

He added, “There will be a vegetable crunch till Wednesday and the supply will become normal after that.”

Vilas Bhujbal, President, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Aadte Association said, “There was an overall reduction of 30 per cent in the supply of vegetables due to Diwali. A lot of farmers do not come to the market during Diwali due to less customers. This year, due to heavy rainfall, produce was also affected due to which supply has been reduced.”

Carrot, drumstick costlier
“The price of drumstick has increased to Rs 120 per kg while carrot is soaring at Rs 80 per kg. This is due to less supply in the market and also in the winter there is a good demand for drumstick; therefore the price has increased,” said Deepak Sonawane, a vegetable vendor at Mahatma Phule Mandai

Shriram Gadhave, President, Vegetables Growers Association of India, said, “The kharif production of carrot in the State had been affected due to rain. Therefore, supply of carrots is less. Drumstick supply has also reduced as a lot of crops have been damaged in the flowering stage.”