According to the Small Planters Association, the damage to crops caused by Cyclone Belal appears to be on a massive scale. As a result, vegetable prices have already soared.
This was not long in coming. As soon as the hurricane alert was lifted, vegetable prices had already risen. The majority of customers at the central market were stunned by the high cost of vegetables, unable to hide their anger and disappointment at the prices advertised by market gardeners.
Indeed, prices have risen significantly: giraumon is at Rs 100 a kilo, cabbage is at Rs 100, and cucumbers are at a minimum of Rs 40. In the space of two days, prices have risen significantly. The last straw was once again the sweet apple, sold at Rs 140 a pound!
How to explain this increase? Some market gardeners point to the scarcity of vegetables, difficult weather conditions and, of course, the effects of Belal. Kreepaloo Sunghoon, president of the Small Planters Association, points out that plantations have been particularly hard hit by the heavy downpours, and growers are in no way protected against this type of calamity.
However, it is also necessary to recognize that there are abuses. Some market gardeners are finding that consumers are continuing to buy their produce on the open market.
