• Escalating prices have led to a decline in vegetable consumption, as many consumers express their inability to afford them at these prices
• Carrot and beans reach the highest levels, surpassing Rs. 1,200 per kilo

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

Despite forecasts predicting a decrease in vegetable prices after the festive season, the actual prices have remained high. Most vegetable varieties are now priced at over Rs. 1,000 per kilo, with carrots and beans reaching the highest levels, surpassing Rs. 1,200 per kilo.  

Yesterday, the country witnessed its highest recorded vegetable price, with a kilo of carrots reaching Rs. 1,400 at the New Manning Market in Peliyagoda.   
The escalating prices have led to a decline in vegetable consumption, as many consumers express their inability to afford them at these prices.  

People report that the prices of nearly all vegetable varieties have increased, creating significant financial challenges for consumers. 

 The current market prices reveal that beans are priced at Rs. 1,000 per kilo. However, there have been fluctuations in the prices of other vegetables, with green chillies and tomatoes decreasing to Rs. 800 and Rs. 350 per kilo respectively. On the other hand, the cost of lime has seen an increase, reaching Rs. 500 per kilo.  

Meanwhile, the business community running tourist hotels and guest houses across the country expressed concern about the high prices of vegetables that has affected the industry.  
Traders in Nuwara Eliya’s Dedicated Economic Centre said the prices of vegetables had sky rocketed and that it resulted in a sharp drop in purchases. They pointed out that the price of carrot was Rs.2000 a kilo, cabbage Rs.680, leeks Rs. 500, capsicum Rs.650, tomatoes Rs. 800, beetroot, Rs.500, broccoli, a variety in demand among foreign tourists, Rs.3600, basil Rs. 2600, cauliflower Rs.,1300.

Meanwhile many customers said it is with great difficulty that they manage to have one vegetable curry for a meal. They pointed out that the price hike in the retail market was unprecedented and that the vegetables available were of poor quality.
(Additional reporting - Shantha Chandrasiri and Ranjith Rajapakse).