Vegetables squeeze buyers

PUNE, May 18: First it was traders strike that hit consumers forcing them to shell out princely sums for humble veggies. Now with summer at its peak, there seems to be little respite for Puneites reeling under skyrocketing prices of vegetables which have touched an all-time high for the season.

If the figures released by the Agriculture Market Produce Committee are to be believed, the humble cauliflower is available at Rs 90 per 10 kg. However, the prices at the retail markets are mind boggling with regular customers shelling out Rs 60 for a kilo.

Even the lowly onions priced at Rs 37 per 10 kg at wholesale rates are finally reaching the customer at prices ranging from Rs 10 per kg to Rs 12 per kg.