Vegetable prices surge as Cyclone Ditwah damages crops

By Yohan Perera 

Cyclone Ditwah is continuing its effects to date, as it was reported that the disaster has created a shortage of some vegetables, a prominent member of the Manning Market Traders’ Association said yesterday. 

Former President Manning Market Traders’ Association S. M. Upasena told Daily Mirror that there is a shortage of some vegetables such as Elabatu, Snake Gourd (Pathola), carrots and Luffa (Wetakolu) at the moment. 

“The recent cyclone has created this shortage. Even small vegetable plants have been destroyed by the cyclone. Nothing has been spared by the cyclone,” he said. 

It was reported that thousands of hectares of vegetables have been destroyed by the cyclone. 

He said a very small stock of Snake Gourd (Pathola) is being sold at Rs 500 per kilo these days. 

Also, he said the price of some vegetables has increased as a result of the disaster. He said Beans are sold at around Rs 1,100 a kilo, Capsicum at Rs 1,200, green chillies at Rs 1,200, tomato Rs 400, cabbage at Rs 250, while leeks are sold at Rs 200 a kilo. 

A kilo of green chillies costs Rs 400 a kilo, while beans cost around Rs 1,000, and a kilo of carrots cost around Rs 800 about a week ago.