30 January 2021 06:21 am
There is a substantial increase in wholesale and retail prices of several varieties of commonly used vegetables due to short supply of vegetables, economic centres said.
According to stall managers at Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Pettah and Narahenpita Economic Centres, the substantial decrease in the supply of vegetables had compelled them to increase the prices.
Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre Manager R. M. Bandara told the Daily Mirror that prices of most of the vegetables had gone up by 100%.
“There has been a poor supply from farmers in the recent past. The reason for this is quite blurred. The common reason is the bad weather conditions. However, the reason can’t be fully attributed to bad weather because showers are now over,” he said.
“It is not something new for vegetable prices to go up in the aftermath of torrential rains, Bandara added.
He said it would take a few weeks for the situation to return to normal.
It is reported that the number of vehicles carrying vegetables arriving at the Dambulla Economic Centre had declined by 70 per cent resulting in low supply and higher demand and thus the increase in prices.
The prices (1kg) of vegetables at the Dambulla Economic Centre were as follows, (Sheain Fernandopulle)
Beans - Rs. 220
Carrot - Rs. 230
Capsicum - Rs. 450
Green Chilli - Rs. 800
Snake Gourd - Rs. 180
Pumpkin - Rs. 180
Brinjal - Rs. 280