Vegetable prices may tumble

by Rohana Jayalal

As large quantities of vegetables are being received by the Dambulla Economic Centre, the prices of vegetables may drop further, an official at the centre said. The prices of beetroot, potatoes, carrots, capsicum chillies, onions, chillies, cabbage, onions and manioc have come down.

According to him, the prices of most vegetables may drop by about 50 percent. The recent increase in vegetable prices had affected consumers islandwide.The prices of drumsticks, tomatoes, beans, carrots and cucumber have slumped with the arrival of stocks from the Wanni, Marassana, Hanguranketha and Matale, the official said.

Around 100 lorries arrive at the market daily. However, the supply of upcountry vegetables is at low levels due to the adverse weather prevailing in those areas, he said.

Statistical Officer, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI), Upul Aruna Shantha said the prices of vegetables will continue to slide till March after which prices may increase due to the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.

According to HARTI data and research reports, the Maha harvesting season has commenced, and there won’t be a shortage of vegetables while the prices will drop, he said.

This week the prices of popular vegetables dropped with green beans being sold at an average price of Rs. 120 per kilo, carrots at Rs. 140 per kilo, leeks - Rs. 80, capsicum - Rs. 250, pumpkin - Rs. 60, beetroot - Rs.110, potatoes (local) - Rs. 90, onions - Rs. 60, cabbage - Rs. 80.Although the drop in prices was welcomed by most consumers, vendors complained that consumers still shy away from buying vegetables.

Pramod Kumara who has been selling vegetables in the Manning (retail) market for the past 12 years said, “When there is a shortage of vegetables reaching Colombo, consumers buy what is available. We make a substantial profit then, but now there are enough stocks.”

He said even small-scale shops in villages now sell vegetables and people do not go to markets to buy their needs as they did when there was a shortage.

Another vegetable seller, Ariyasena Saparamadu said the decrease in prices hasn’t prompted people to buy more vegetables.When prices continue to drop it is good for everybody. The current prices are not favourable for vendors or consumers, he said.

An employee of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Wasana Dissanayaka said, “We hope that the prices of essential food items, especially vegetables, would drop. Since there is no major change, we are buying less than before.”

Dissanayaka said she has made a change in what to cook in keeping with the fluctuating prices of vegetables. in the past few weeks. “We are eating more kekiri, manioc, jak and tender jak (polos), kankun and dhal.”

A vegetable seller at the Manning Market for the past 15 years, S.A. Saranapala said vegetables such as pumpkin, kekiri, brinjals, long beans and bittergourd will reach the market from this month and potatoes will reach the market next month.

However, in April the prices will go up again because there is a big demand for vegetables during the National New Year, he said.

Dharmasena Adikari said the prices of vegetables will be the highest in June.President, Wasana Govi Samithiya, S.M. Pradeep Bandara said vegetable prices increased due to bad weather during the past few months affecting the harvest.

“The weather is still not satisfactory. Farmers are also burdened by fertiliser prices, which should be reduced. As a result the farmers suffer,” Bandara said.