Vegetable prices have seen a sharp rise in India from April to May this year, with some produce doubling in cost.

'Many customers keep pestering us about the sudden rise in prices. It is not in our hands because this inevitable rise is due to the summer season,' vendor Adil Shaikh from SGPDA market in Margao told the Times of India.

The greatest price hikes include French beans, which has increased from Rs40 (US$0.73) to Rs80 (US$1.46) per kg, ginger, which has nearly doubled from Rs70 (US$1.28) to Rs120 (US$2.19) per kg and cucumber, which has risen from Rs24 (US$0.44) to Rs40 per kg (US$0.73).

Other more moderate price rises include cauliflower and garlic, which have increased by Rs15 (US$0.27) and Rs10 (US$0.18) respectively, green chillis, which has gone from Rs32 (US$0.58) to Rs40 (US$0.73) per kg, carrots and brinjals, which are up about Rs6 (US$0.11) per kg and coriander, up by Rs5 (US$0.09) per bundle.

These increases mean demand for local vegetables, such as red amaranth and ladyfinger, has increased given their lower price tag.

Fresh produce price rises are typical during this period as growers face difficulties with water shortage, which affects crop growth and yields.

'This price hike happens almost every year during April and May as it is the driest period of the year. So there is a usual fluctuation in prices, but it comes back to normal by June or July,” a vendor at the Panaji market told the Times of India.

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