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Garlic grief: Despite low wholesale rates, retail price soar

In 2016, there has been good rainfall and retailers have been taking benefits of speculation of short supply in days to come.

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After skyrocketing prices of vegetables especially tomato, it's garlic now that's in news for being expensive. In the retail market, the price of the commodity has touched Rs180 to Rs200 per kg. Surprisingly, price of garlic remains below Rs 60 per kg in the wholesale market.

According to traders at agriculture produce market committee (APMC) in Vashi, apart from domestic garlic, India also receives major chunk from China. "This year, there is lack of supply of garlic from China due to drought, followed by flood. Now, retailers and middlemen have been taking benefits of these factors by hoarding,"claimed a trader at APMC, Vashi.

In addition, in 2016, in India too, there has been good rainfall and retailers have been taking benefits of speculation of short supply in days to come. "There has been heavy rainfall in most of garlic producing states and retailers and middlemen are taking benefit of the situation," said another trader.

The average supply of garlic at APMC, Vashi on Saturday and Monday was around 400 quintals. "The supply has risen by around 40% in September. And the current supply is hardly 15% below than normal supply of garlic at APMC, Vashi," said an administrative officer at APMC, Vashi. In September first week, the supply of garlic was around 240 quintals while in the last one week, it has reached up to 400 quintals.

On the contrary, retailers claimed that traders at APMC are adding over 50% on arrival price. "There is huge difference between official arrival prices of commodity while being sold to retailer at the wholesale market," said Manik Saha, a retailer in Vashi. He says that traders at APMC are selling garlic over Rs90 per kg while the official arrival premium quality garlic is Rs65 per kg.

"In absence of proper monitoring, both retailer and wholesale traders have been looting common people," said Radhika Sinha, a housewife from Dadar, adding that garlic, a key kitchen staple, has gone out of the kitchen.
Retailers claim that a huge part of the commodity spoils as it takes 10 days to 20 days to clear the stock.

Variation in garlic price in the last two months:


Month
Wholesale Rs/kg Retail Rs/kg
August 80-90 180-200
September 75-80 170-190
October 55-60 160-170

Total average supply at APMC Vashi: August: 200 quintals; September: 280 quintals; October: 400 quintals (till 10 October)

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