Vegetable Prices Surge Ahead of Durga Puja in Kolkata

As the Durga Puja festivities approach in Kolkata, vegetable prices, especially for items like capsicum, beans, ginger, chili, and garlic, have seen a significant surge in retail markets. For example, ginger is being sold for between Rs 280 and Rs 300 per kilogram, garlic is priced at Rs 180 to Rs 200, capsicum ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 230, and beans are priced between Rs 130 and Rs 150 per kilogram.

Fresh chilies cost between Rs 150 and Rs 200 per kilogram. The state government’s task force, responsible for controlling essential commodity prices, attributes this price increase to late rains causing flooding across the state, which resulted in significant crop losses. The task force members anticipate further price increases during the festive season, peaking around Laxmi Puja, with potential easing afterward.

The price of ginger, however, is expected to remain high due to low local production and supply issues from other regions like Manipur. Additionally, the influence of hoarders on these price surges has not been ruled out.