Demand for vegetables drops amid fuel price hike: Traders

The demand for vegetables has declined due to the fuel price increase and the overall decline in business, a trader attached to the Manning Market said.

Former President of the Manning Market Traders' Association, S.M. Upasena told the Daily Mirror that the demand for vegetables has gone down as a result of the fuel price hike brought on by the conflict in the Middle East.

“Consumers are affected with the current crisis due to the fuel price hike. They have no way of reaching the markets because of the paralysed transportation. It is reported that transportation is paralysed as very few buses are plying on the road as a result of the fuel price hike. Those who earn a daily living have lost their livelihood as a result of the paralysed transportation. Therefore, the situation has made the demand for vegetables to go down,” Upasena said.

He said the prices of vegetables have also dropped as a result of the crisis. A kilo of cabbage has dropped to Rs. 100, beans to Rs. 250, carrots to Rs. 250, capsicum to Rs. 150, while a kilo of tomatoes has been reduced to Rs. 60.

Upasena said the situation could worsen if the conflict continues.

“Farmers will be affected soon by the non-availability of seeds and fertiliser as a result of the crisis. More issues will arise if farmers stop growing vegetables. There may not be any vegetables left to sell in such a situation,” he said.

source: Daily Mirror