Pune : The festive season of Navratri has brought a significant rise in vegetable prices, with many essential vegetables now costing over ₹100 per kilogram. Due to the celebrations and fasting observed during this period, there is an increased preference for vegetarian meals, which has driven up the demand for vegetables. As a result, prices for tomatoes, onions, and even potatoes have spiked, with potatoes now crossing ₹50 per kilogram.
The surge in vegetable prices has put an added financial burden on consumers. Navratri began in the district on Thursday, a time when people typically consume sattvic (pure, vegetarian) food. However, a combination of increased demand and reduced supply—due to crop damage from recent rains—has contributed to the price hike. Leafy vegetables and everyday essentials like tomatoes, green chilies, cabbage, brinjal, cauliflower, carrots, beans, and capsicum have all seen a noticeable rise in prices, alongside spinach, fenugreek, and other greens.
Newly harvested potatoes are entering the market at ₹40 per kilogram, while garlic prices continue to soar, ranging between ₹240 to ₹320 per kilogram. Onions are also seeing a resurgence in price, with some areas selling them for ₹35 to ₹40 per kilogram.
This sharp rise in vegetable prices during the festive season has further added to the financial strain on households, already coping with the high costs of essential goods.
