Heavy rains damage vegetable, pulses crops

Farmers are expected to suffer losses as heavy rains in central and south India caused widespread damage to key kharif crops like urad and tur in pulses, soyabean, cotton and vegetables.

However, prices of most vegetables have crashed by 30-40% in Mumbai as buyers could not step out due to heavy rainfall this month, traders said. They noted that prices of vegetables, where standing crops got damaged in flooded fields, are expected to start spiraling after a few weeks.

However, ample availability of imported pulses is expected to keep their prices under control, they added.


"The arrival of vegetables to Mumbai has declined substantially due to the heavy rainfall. We had to throw away large quantities of leafy vegetables damaged by excess moisture," said Shankar Pingale, director, vegetable market at Vashi APMC (Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee).

Onion prices have risen by about 15-20% since last week due to expectations of higher exports to Bangladesh. However, the impact of rains on the upcoming kharif harvest from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is still to be ascertained.

"There is some damage to the onion crop in the Chitradurga district. However, as the rainfall has reduced, it has improved the prospects of future harvest," said S Anandan, an onion trader in Bengaluru.

Rainfall during August and September tends to inflate onion prices as it affects the kharif crop in south India. "However, this year, farmers are holding more onions, while exports demand is subdued. We will have to wait for 8-10 days to understand the impact on the onion crop," said Vikas Singh, vice president, Horticulture Produce Exporters' Association.

Tomato prices have surged 25-50% in various states in the past month, according to Ministry of Consumer Affairs data.

Heavy rainfall and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh had led to tomato crossing ₹70 a kg in north India.

Large parts of Maharashtra, coastal Karnataka and Gujarat experienced heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday. In Maharashtra, 19 districts received excess rainfall, affecting standing crops of soyabean, cotton, urad, tur, fruits and vegetables.

"The urad farmers are expected to suffer some losses as the higher moisture content will not allow the farmers to hold back the crop. They will rush it to the markets and get lower rates," said B Krishna Murthy, managing director, Four P International.