BANGALORE: Thanks to the rains and falling supply, the price of coriander leaves hit a record Rs 110 a bunch on Saturday.
Hopcoms, the government-supported farm produce marketing co-operative, uploaded the price on its website on Saturday. Prices are usually cheaper at Hopcoms outlets than elsewhere. Savitha, a working professional, said, “I was shocked when the Hopcoms shop told me the price today.”
In Malleswaram, a small bunch of kottambari soppu, as it is called in Kannada, is going for Rs 60. “We are not getting supplies because of the rain,” said Lakshmidevi, a vendor at Malleswaram market.
Curry leaves, or karibevu, is also heading north. “Just a few days ago, we would have get two to three sticks for Rs 10, but now it’s Rs 20 for one,” said Sunitha, a homemaker.
Vedavathi is worried. “Vegetable prices are already high. If the prices of greens also rise, what are we supposed to do?” she said.
Customers Wary: Shopkeepers too aren’t happy. “Customers are scared away by the prices. We are suffering losses,” said Gowramma, who sells greens in JP Nagar.
Prior to the rains of the past fortnight, the prices did not pinch the middle-class so hard. “Fifteen days ago, a coriander bunch went for Rs 20,” said Bhaskar, who runs a vegetable shop in JP Nagar.
Darshini Rates: Prakash Lingaiah, who owns a fast food outlet in Jayanagar 4th Block, is worried the prices will hit his margins. “We buy vegetables and greens in large quantities. If the prices shoot up like this, we will be forced to increase the prices of our items.”
Ramamurthy M, secretary of the Hoteliers Association, said coriander leaves are used mainly in the chutneys that accompany idli and dosa. “It is a basic ingredient. At these prices, we will use less of it. We have no choice,” he said.
DOWNPOUR BRINGS MISERY TO CITY
Bangalore: Heavy rain lashed the city and other parts of the state on Saturday. The sudden showers have been attributed to a depression over the Arabian Sea. Bangalore recorded 41.6 mm of rainfall and with rain expected in the next two days, officials said the rainfall for the month may cross 300 mm, the highest in October in nine years. Six trees were uprooted and water logging was reported from several low-lying areas. There were many traffic blocks and a few vehicles were damaged.