Ahmedabad : Heavy rains and holy month of Shravan and Ramzan, which have ritualistic fasts based on special diets, have caused a steep hike in prices of essentials, especially fruits and vegetables.

One glance at the prices of vegetables before and after the extended spell of rain recently shows that the prices have shot up with a margin of Rs 10 in a week's span. After rains, prices of leafy vegetables skyrocketed at the city-based agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) as against the prices prevalent before the rains. When it comes to retail market, the prices of vegetables go up by at least Rs 2 to Rs 4 per kg more to cover transportation and labour costs. All this means that Amdavadis have to shell out additional money for buying fruits and vegetables.

Cabbage and cauliflower, which were available for Rs 10 per kg in the retail market some days back, are now being sold at close to Rs 20 per kg. The prices of brinjal and ridge gourd (turai) also went up by Rs 15 and Rs 10 per kg respectively at the APMC market.

Jayesh Patel, 35, who offers sales services at the APMC, said if the supply increases, the prices will come down further. Supply of vegetables with short shelf lives such as spinach, fenugreek (methi), cabbage and coriander, has gone up. As per the statistics made available by the APMC, fenugreek is costing Rs 30 per kg at present, a far cry from the rate some days back when it cost Rs 20 for one kg.

The price of potato, one of the most consumed vegetables in the month of Shravan and an essential in the regular menu, has not reported a jump though.

The prices of fruits like apple and bananas have gone up also due to the festive season of Shravan. The upward movement in prices is expected to continue for one more month till the fresh crop of fruits arrives in the market, say fruit sellers. "Consumption of fruits goes up during Shravan and this escalates the prices further," said a fruit seller in the market yard. The prices of apples have gone up by almost Rs 60 per dozen from Rs 40.

Needless to say, the escalating prices are pinching the consumers real hard. Shaina Shaikh, an employee of a private company and a resident of Jamalpur, said, "The prices of fruits have gone up further because of Ramzan. It has severely affected our monthly budget and I think the government should think of importing fruits to control prices."

Amruta Mehta, a professional and resident of Navrangpura, said, "We purchase vegetables every alternate day as their storage is a major problem and our income does not allow us doing this. As for fruits, I try to buy them from wholesale market to save money. Vegetarians will find it tough to maintain the protein content in their diet because of the rising prices."

"Vegetable prices have gone up in the past few days. I am cooking more of dal (pulses), grams, rajma (red kidney beans) and preserved food products which are within our budget. Though I have tomatoes, lady finger, bitter gourd (karela) and potatoes in my menu, as, thankfully, the prices of these vegetables haven't gone up," said Daksha Desai, a homemaker and resident of Vastrapur.