Ditwah continues to affect vegetable prices: Trader

• Supply of vegetables has dropped by 25 per cent 

By Yohan Perera 

Cyclone Ditwah still continues to affect vegetable prices as they are higher than the usual rates, which have been at this time of the year in the past, a senior trader attached to Manning Market said yesterday. 

Manning Market Traders Association former president S. M. Upasena told Daily Mirror that vegetable prices have gone down compared to last month. “Vegetable prices have dropped, but have not dropped by the proportions that they do at this time during normal years,” he said.

“The supply of vegetables has dropped by 25 per cent as a result of Cyclone Ditwah, and this has kept the prices higher than usual. 

Prices have been stabilised, but it should have been more stable if the weather had been favourable in late November last year,” he added. 

However, the price of a few vegetables, such as locally grown Bell Pepper still remains high. 

He said a kilo of leeks costs Rs 400, carrots cost Rs 350, tomatoes Rs 350, and green chillies Rs 500.

As of December last year, green chillies cost Rs 1,200, tomatoes Rs 400, and carrots Rs 800.