Bhubaneswar, Jul 20: Vegetable prices have surged sharply across Odisha, putting immense pressure on household budgets as consumers struggle to cope with the rising cost of daily essentials. Vegetables that were selling for ₹40–50 per kg just a few days ago are now priced between ₹80 and ₹120 per kg, while some varieties have crossed the ₹100 mark.

The price rise has affected almost every commonly consumed vegetable. Brinjal is selling at around ₹100 per kg, lady's finger at ₹80–100, tomato at ₹70–80, bitter gourd and ridge gourd at ₹80–100, while local cucumber has become one of the costliest items at nearly ₹300 per kg. Consumers who earlier purchased vegetables by the kilogram are now limiting their purchases to half a kilogram or even less, as soaring prices leave shopping bags lighter despite higher spending.

Customers say the steep rise has made it difficult for middle- and lower-income families to afford vegetables regularly. Many expressed concern that vegetables are gradually disappearing from their daily meals, even though they remain an essential part of the household diet.

Traders attribute the price hike primarily to continuous heavy rainfall, which has damaged vegetable crops in several parts of Odisha, including Athagarh, Nimapara, Barabati and Dhenkanal. The rains have also disrupted the supply of vegetables from neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka (Bengaluru) and Maharashtra (Nashik), leading to shortages in wholesale markets.

Retailers said rising transportation costs and increased wholesale prices have further pushed up retail rates. Ironically, while prices have increased, traders claim their earnings have fallen because customers are buying much smaller quantities.

With the holy month of Shravan approaching, when vegetable consumption typically rises, traders fear prices could climb even further unless supply improves and weather conditions steady. The price surge is expected to continue affecting middle-class and low-income households the most in the coming weeks.