The continuous rise in fuel prices has resulted in the price of vegetables and fruits rising by 10-15 per cent. According to traders at Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Vashi, fuel is the major component while fixing prices of vegetables and fruits. “When farmers dispatch their agricultural produce to the APMC, they typically add transport charges (as expenses) while selling the produce. This additional charge has to be ultimately recovered from the consumers,” said Devidas Pingale, ex-director at APMC, Vashi.

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He said, in APMC, most of the agri-products are sold at wholesale rates. “The agri produce is transported to various parts of the city from the APMC and then sold to the end consumer. While selling, the additional transport expenses is recovered from the consumer,” said Shankar Pingale. Pingale deals with the onion and potato market at APMC.

Sanjay Pansare, ex director at APMC, Vashi, said that as soon fuel prices increase, transport associations’ pass on the extra burden to farmers or traders.

“We are in business. We have to recover additional costs by passing it on to consumers. The consumer only suffers because of this. Government should look into this issue, so that people get relief,” Pansare said. He said that the most produces, mainly fruits, come from far away places like Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Karnataka. “The rise in fuel cost badly impacts farmers, traders and consumers,” Pansare added.

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Pingale said that currently veggie prices are stable. “But the rise in fuel prices will result in prices of agri-produces rising by 10-15% at least,” Pingale added.

Madhuri Jadhav, resident of Thane, said that the high fuel prices pinch in many ways. “It has increased the vegetables-fruits prices. Besides, school transport associations too have increased the transport fees. For the common and middle class, it becomes very difficult to pay the high rates everywhere. It impacts our household monthly budget by drilling a big hole in our limited pocket. We hope that the government will take corrective steps immediately. That will give relief to consumers. Otherwise, it will be difficult to meet all the expenses,” she said.

By Sudhir Suryawanshi, DNA India