Visakhapatnam: The rising onion and tomato prices in the retail markets have dampened public spirit during the Kartik month, which is the most auspicious month of the Hindu community in the North Andhra region.

Rates of onion and tomato have risen to Rs 40 per kg while most of the other varieties of vegetables have touched to Rs 50 a kg.

Generally in the month of Kartik, the prices of vegetables are affordable but this year the situation is quite different. In the short span of two weeks, onion price has skyrocketed to Rs 40 per kg against the reigning price of Rs 20, just a few days back. Tomato too has been causing much grief for the last few weeks selling as it is for Rs 40 per kg.

“Though the prices of onion and tomato are less in the government-run Rythu Bazaars in the city, the quality is not as good,” says K. Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Madhurawada area in Vizag city. Not only onion and tomato but also beans, carrot, capsicum and a few other vegetables cost over Rs 50 per kg in the retail markets. Even a small bunch of spinach costs Rs 25 as against the average price of Rs 10.

“Unseasonal rains have caused the wholesale rates of onions and tomatoes to rise and it will take some more weeks for the prices to stabilise,” says T. Anil Kumar, a vegetable trader in Vizag city.

Sources in the horticulture department said that Vizag city requires around 5,000 to 6,000 quintals of vegetables a day but now there was a shortage of supply of the most wanted vegetables.

At present, the total area in which tomato is cultivated in Vizag district is around 600 hectares but it will be increased to around 1,800 hectares within a year.