Kolkata Faces Rising Vegetable Prices Amid Fuel Surge
Kolkata: The ongoing crisis in West Asia is echoing in the kitchens of Bengal, as fuel prices across the country have soared by over Rs 7 per litre. This spike is impacting local markets, causing the prices of daily essentials and perishables to rise steadily.
Traders note a significant gap between retail and wholesale prices. They attribute this to increased logistics costs and a temporary lull in production as seasonal transitions occur. Consequently, wholesale prices for vegetables have surged by 10% to 12%, with retail prices rising even higher.
“My weekly grocery budget has been turned upside down,” shares Srabanti De, a homemaker from Chetla. “Just last week, I bought Jyoti potatoes for Rs 12 per kg, but now the vendor won’t sell for less than Rs 15. Onions have gone up from Rs 25 to Rs 30. Even a Rs 5 hike across the board means we have to reduce what we buy.”
Summer staples are particularly affected. Vegetables like pointed gourd (parwal) and okra (bhindi) have jumped from Rs 30 per kg last week to Rs 40-45 now. Bitter gourd (karela) has gone up sharply to Rs 110 per kg from Rs 80, while brinjal prices have risen from Rs 80 to Rs 90-100 per kg.
“We’re not making extra profits here,” explains Anwar Ali, a vegetable vendor at Lake Market. “Transportation costs have skyrocketed due to diesel price hikes. By the time the goods arrive, a lot of it is spoiled, and we have to account for those losses. Customers argue, but we have no choice.”
Small-scale farmers are feeling the pinch as well, seeing minimal benefits despite soaring retail prices. “The costs of operating diesel pumps and fertilizers have risen significantly,” notes Sukumar Mondal, a farmer from Singur. “Wholesalers are still offering us the same rates as before, while the middlemen take home the largest share. We’re caught in a transition phase between old and new crops, increasing our vulnerability.”
As the conflict in West Asia lingers, Kolkata’s consumers may need to prepare for an extended period of rising prices, illustrating how global events can deeply influence daily living costs.
