Vegetable prices go up

CHANDIGARH, April 27: With the temperature in the city rising, the prices of summer vegetables too are soaring. The hot weather specialities8217; like ladyfinger, bitter gourd and lemons are dearly priced. The prices of onions, which had been giving the housewives a hard time in the past, have, however, nose dived. The per kg price of onions in the wholesale market is Rs 3.50 as against Rs 28 a few months back. The retail price is Rs 6 per kg and in many sectors the price is Rs 8. With the arrival of local crop in the market, the prices are likely to go down further, assert the market agents.

Tomatoes are available for Rs 8 per kg in the wholesale market and Rs 12 in the retail market. Bitter gourd and ladyfinger are two vegetables still not exactly within the reach of common man. While ladyfinger is priced at Rs 16 per kg in the wholesale market, retailers are selling the same for Rs 28. The wholesale rate of bitter gourd is Rs 18 per kg while it is being sold for Rs 30 per kg in the retail market.

Peas are available for Rs 11 per kg as against their retail price of Rs 16. However, the costliest item continues to be lemons. Priced at Rs 40 per kg in the wholesale market, retailers are not charging less than Rs 55 for the same. Summer fruits too are dearly priced.

Mangoes are priced at Rs 50 per kg in the retail market. Water melon is available at Rs 12 per kg. Grapes are available for Rs 80 per kg.