Ahead of Lakshmi Puja, vegetables & milk products to cost more
Kolkata: Consumers may soon feel a pinch in their pockets ahead of Lakshmi Puja as vendors apprehend a hike in the prices of vegetables due to incessant rains and flood-like situations. This apart, the demand for dairy products will also remain high due to the ongoing festive season.
It was only last month when tomato, one of the prime components for curries and chutneys, was priced between Rs 25 and 30 per kg. On Thursday, the retail price of one kg of tomato had almost doubled. Depending upon the quality, tomato prices vary in the markets.
"Today (Thursday), we sold one kg of tomato at Rs 60 (fresh and good quality) and Rs 55 (a little low quality). We are buying lesser quantity of tomatoes. Customers are buying half of their required quantities due to the increased price. We are running in losses due to this," said Kartik Sen, a tomato vendor at Park Circus market.
The retailers buy tomatoes as per their requirement from the wholesalers and sell it to the customers. Tomato dealers have hinted that the price of the product is expected to rise till Diwali as tomatoes that is grown in Bengal will hit the markets from December onwards.
"Every year, there is a huge demand for tomatoes during Lakshmi Puja because people cook food in their homes and offer bhog to the deity. This year, the market is expected to be down because of the sky rocketing price. If the supply is sufficient, then the price will be stable," said an official of the West Bengal State Agricultural Marketing Board.
The official reiterated that Bengal produces tomatoes from December to March. This apart, the state also imports tomatoes from Bangalore, Maharashtra and other places.
Vegetable prices have witnessed a rise in the past few weeks. And it has happened nationally. However, price of onions that shot up to Rs 70 kg due to the recent floods in Maharashtra, one of the biggest suppliers of the product to Bengal, is now under control.
"There is no dearth of onions from Nasik. Price is now under control. At present, the cost of an onion sack varies between Rs 1,400 and Rs 1,700," said Bishal, an onion merchant at Sealdah's Koley Market.
Meanwhile, dairy product suppliers pointed out that the rush for milk products starts two-three days ahead of the Lakshmi Puja.
"We have fixed customers during the year. But during Lakshmi Puja, we have flying customers. That time, the sale of lassi is huge," said Santosh Singh Chauhan, a dairy product supplier.
