Falling vegetable prices has farmers worried

Mysuru: On April 30, 2024, beans were sold for Rs 130 per kg in Mysuru APMC. The price reached a high of Rs 150 per kg on May 12, 2024, and climbed to Rs 160 per kg, a historical high by the last week of May 2024.

This year however, due to the excess supply the price of beans is fluctuating between Rs 50 and Rs 57 at Mysuru APMC.

Not only beans, but the price of most commonly used vegetables are also less than half compared to last summer. Tomato costs Rs 10 to 12, while coriander leaves have come down to as low as Rs 1 per bundle, cucumber are sold at Rs 3 per piece, and onion is at Rs 100 for 6 kg. These low prices is leading to huge loss for the the growers.

According to Mysuru APMC, an average of 25 to 30 quintal beans are supplied to the market daily, and due to the good North East monsoon, farmers get a bumper crop. Farmers attribute excess supply as the main reason for the price crash this year.

According to the growers, generally during April and May, vegetable prices skyrocket, due to high demand and low supply. "Vegetable growers see money only during April and May due to the high demand. Due to the shortage of water and soaring temperature, the yield is less. But this year, we are witnessing a price crash during summer as well," explained Eshagowda, a vegetable grower from Bogadi.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene president Badagalapura Nagendra said that there is an immediate need for a board for vegetable crops.

"This year, vegetable cultivation increased across the state. But, the demand for vegetables has come down in the neighbouring states of Kerala and Maharashtra. Which is why, the rates have come down," he said.