For the first time in history, the wholesale price of a kilo of carrots was sold at a price between Rs 1000-1100 from last night (13), and the price of broccoli and other vegetables used for Chinese food has increased to Rs 7000 per kilo. Chairman of the traders of Nuwara Eliya Economic Center, Aruna Shantha Hettiarachchi said.
The wholesalers of the Nuwara Eliya Economic Center said that yesterday (13) they bought a kilo of carrots from vegetable growers in the Nuwara Eliya area at a wholesale price of Rs 900 and that the carrots so obtained were not of proper quality.
They said that leeks, beetroot, and cabbage are sold at a wholesale price of Rs 450-500, while beans and Banana peppers (Malu Miris) are sold at a wholesale price of Rs 750-800.
Also, wholesalers in Nuwara Eliya market said that a kilo of green chilies is sold at Rs 1600 and a kilo of Radish is sold at Rs 350.
They said that two weeks ago, a kilo of carrots was sold at the Nuwara Eliya Economic Center at a price between 350-400 Rs, and a kilo of broccoli used for Chinese restaurants was sold for 750 Rs.
7500 rupees per kilo of broccoli…
The farmers have not been able to provide a supply of vegetables that meets the demand due to the destruction of the vegetable crops and the decrease in the harvest due to the continuous heavy rains that have fallen in the Nuwara Eliya area in the last few months. Therefore, the traders said that the price of vegetables has increased and this situation will continue for another three months.
The trading community of the Nuwara Eliya Economic Center said that due to the 100% increase in the retail price of vegetables along with the wholesale price, some consumers are buying a very limited amount of vegetables, and the vegetable trade has declined due to the current situation.
