Pune: Retail prices of exotic vegetables like red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli and iceberg lettuce have increased by 25%-30% in the recent weeks.The delayed monsoon and erratic rainfall have disrupted crop cycles and reduced yields, said traders. “The onset of the monsoon is both good and bad for such vegetables. It increases the chance of spoilage. Prices may go up further in the next few days,” said APMC Pune’s senior clerk Nitin Chaure.Red and yellow capsicum used to retail at Rs60-Rs70 for two pieces and is at Rs100-Rs110 now, depending on the size. Similarly, iceberg lettuce used to cost Rs30-Rs40 for 250g and is at Rs65-Rs70. “In the wholesale market, we are selling red and yellow capsicum for Rs250-Rs260 per kg. Broccoli is at Rs220 per kg. Water shortage has led to a decrease in supply primarily, with fungal diseases also destroying some crop,” said Market Yard wholesaler Shreyash Shinde.Consumers looking to eat healthy or recreating café-style meals at home are paying significantly more for exotic vegetables, this monsoon. “The price of the exotic vegetables is almost 50% higher on online platforms. We have temporarily reduced our salad consumption at home,” said Wanowrie resident Veena Desai.Narayan Gaude, a vegetable retailer in Hadapsar, said, “Demand has reduced over the last two weeks because of higher prices. Supply has also reduced in the market. A lot of buyers are purchasing exotic vegetables from private farms.”Demand for these vegetables have been more or less steady at private farms and poly houses. “We have a fixed set of regular customers. There are some price fluctuations, but we try to maintain the rates because we are anyway selling at slightly premium prices. The quality of our produce is also top-notch,” said the owner of a private farm in Talegaon.“Exotic vegetables are almost a luxury purchase, at present. I am trying to avoid buying them at the current prices, unless there’s a special occasion,” said Anagha Mehta, a resident of Baner.
