An intense heatwave that parts of India is witnessing hasn’t so far affected vegetable output and prices, as there is still moisture in the soil after last year’s plentiful rains improved the water table, farmers and traders said.
Supply of fish too is ample, as aquaculture farms also aren’t facing any shortage of water.
This is good news for consumers who have been reeling under inflationary pressure.
However, rains in Maharashtra last week have affected the quality of grape, bringing down prices to Rs 20-30 per kg at the farmgate from Rs 60-70.
The country has witnessed the hottest ever February this year and the India Meteorological Department has issued warnings of heatwaves from March to May, with temperatures expected to rise 3-5 degree Celsius above normal.
Shriram Gadhave, president of the Vegetable Growers Association of India, said even though the temperature is on the higher side, the water table “is good enough” for the vegetables to grow. “Prices have not increased as the supply side has not been affected till now,” he said.
In Delhi’s Azadpur mandi, Asia’s largest wholesale vegetable and fruits market, arrivals are quite robust.Ashok Kaushik, president of the Tomato Traders Association, said: “There is ample supply. Prices (of tomatoes) at the wholesale level have fallen to Rs 10 per kg from Rs 20 in February. We do not see an immediate drop in supply due to the heatwave. Crop is good.”
At the retail level too, tomato prices have halved to Rs 20 per kg from Rs 40.
Prices of fish, one of the major sources of protein, have remained steady.
Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Kolkata-based Fish Importers Association and the Howrah Wholesale Fish Market, said: “The supply side from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other parts has remained steady. We have not yet heard that fish cultivation is facing any problems due to the heatwave. Prices have remained steady and there is no surge.”
But unseasonal rains in Maharashtra have impacted the grape crop.
Sopan Kanchan, president of the Grape Grower Association of India, said farmers were staring at losses. “Movement of grapes in the market is very slow and once the mango fruit enters the market, then grape farmers will face further problems,” Kanchan said.