Vegetable prices double in a week in Kolkata, brinjal and chillies scorch household budgets
Times of India | 3 August 2026
Kolkata: A sharp spike in vegetable prices over the past week has left households across Kolkata and its adjoining districts grappling with soaring kitchen expenses, as the cost of several daily vegetables has nearly doubled following supply disruptions and erratic monsoon conditions.
Brinjal and green chillies have recorded the steepest increase, with retail prices climbing to Rs 120-150 per kg and around Rs 200 per kg, respectively. Just 10 days ago, both were selling for less than Rs 60-70 a kg in most city markets. Other staples such as pointed gourd (parwal), okra (bhindi), spine gourd (kantola) and snake gourd have also witnessed price increases of nearly 100%, with most retailing between Rs 80 and Rs 120 a kg. The only relief for consumers has come from tomatoes, prices of which have eased to around Rs 30, while pumpkin and green papaya remain relatively affordable at around Rs 40 a kg.
Retailers like Manik Mandal of Behala old market said supplies from vegetable-growing districts in Bengal have declined because of erratic rainfall and waterlogging, while transportation costs have also edged up. “Rainfall is not evenly distributed,” said Gouranga Das, a farmer in Singur.
“Prices have gone up almost overnight. Customers are shocked when they hear the rates and many are buying only half or even a quarter of what they used to purchase. Brinjal, chillies and pointed gourd are burning holes in pockets,” said Ajay Shaw, a vegetable retailer at Gariahat Market.
Wholesalers attributed the rise to weather-related disruptions in production belts across south Bengal and neighbouring states. “Heavy rain has affected harvesting and damaged standing crops in several districts. The quantity reaching wholesale markets has dropped significantly over the past week, while demand has remained steady,” said Bidyut Singha, a wholesaler at the Koley Market.
Consumers said the sudden escalation has forced them to rethink meal plans and reduce vegetable consumption. “Our monthly grocery budget has gone haywire. Earlier, we bought a kg of vegetables without thinking twice. Now we are buying only 250 to 500 grams at a time. We have stopped purchasing green chillies,” said Madhumita Chatterjee, a homemaker from Behala.
Traders expressed hope that prices would moderate if weather conditions improve and fresh arrivals increase over the next one to two weeks.
“With food inflation already straining household finances, another prolonged spell of high vegetable prices could further erode consumers’ purchasing power,” said Buddhadeb Sengupta, an economist.