Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 11: As vegetables and fruits wholesalers stayed away from Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yard at Baikampady, the prices of vegetables and fruits went up in the district.

The average price hike noticed was to the order of two to five rupees per kg.

The traders, who wanted to resume their business at the central market building on Tuesday, were turned away by the district administration, city corporation and the police. The traders have been complaining about lack of facilities at Baikampady, hardships associated with conducting business during monsoon months at APMC yard, and snake menace there. They have been demanding to allow them to shift the businesses back to the city.

Stock of fruits and vegetables with the retailers are depleting, and pries are going up as a result. For example, tomato price has gone up to Rs 28 from Rs 25, coccinia is priced at Rs 48 as compared to previous Rs 45, beetroot price has shot up from Rs 30 to Rs 35, cabbage price has gone up to Rs 35 from Rs 30, carrot is priced as Rs 65 as compared to Rs 60, bottle gourd price has gone up from Rs 30 to Rs 35, potato price has jumped by five rupees a kg to Rs 45, ridge gourd is priced Rs 60 as against previous Rs 55, green chilli is priced Rs 75 from the previous Rs 70, lentils now are sold at Rs 60 from Rs 55, oranges now command a price of Rs 110 from 100 while gherkin is priced at Rs 25 per kg from the previous Rs 20.

If the wholesalers continue to boycott trade for a couple of more days, the retailers are sure to increase the prices further.