Vegetable prices double at Dambulla Economic Centre
Tuesday, 30 December 2014 02:15
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By Waruni Paranagamage
Prices of vegetables at the Dambulla Economic Centre yesterday increased twofold due to poor supply resulting from natural disastersaffecting cultivation as well as transport barriers in flooded areas.
According to the Centre, vegetable supplies have declined by 70% and priceshave risen twofold.
One kg of green chilies was sold for Rs. 1,000 (retail price) and potatoes for Rs. 500 (retail price), reporting the highest price hike among vegetables.
The wholesale price of one kg of beans, beetroots, brinjals, leeks, carrots and capsicums varied between Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 while the retail price was double the wholesale price.
Dambulla Economic Centre Agriculture Consultant W.M.A.Karunarathne told the Daily FT that the vegetable supply from the up-country haddropped drastically.
“We heard cultivation was severely affected in Matale, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura areas, but the vegetable supply from Puttalam and Kalpitiya is better,” he added.
The retail price of capsicum varied between Rs. 600-700 while wholesale price varied between Rs. 280-320, though it sold for Rs. 110 and Rs.80 respectively earlier.
Karunarathne said the supply of pumpkin was better than other vegetables.
The Dambulla Economic Centre is supplied vegetables from flood-affected areas such as Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, Rikillagaskada, Anuradhapura and Nochchiyagama.
