Veg prices 6 May to 6 June

Beans Rs. 200-480 to Rs. 375-700

Cabbage Rs. 70 to Rs. 90

Tomato Rs. 200 to Rs. 320

Brinjal Rs. 130-360 to Rs. 325-600

Pumpkin Rs. 43 to Rs. 85

Snake gourd Rs. 95 to Rs. 245

Lime prices Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 2,000

• Inclement weather and critical lack of post-harvest technologies blamed
• Price control measures impractical, focus on curtailing wastage: Karunaratne

In a sobering revelation for Sri Lanka’s consumers, vegetable prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, casting a shadow over household budgets. The culprit? A perfect storm of inclement weather and a critical shortfall in post-harvest technologies, leaving farmers and consumers alike in a precarious position.

As farmers struggle to contend with unpredictable weather patterns, the lack of adequate infrastructure to preserve and manage vegetable produce has only exacerbated the situation. This glaring gap in post-harvest technologies has led to significant losses in quality and quantity, resulting in diminished supply and inflated prices at local markets. The impact of this vegetable price surge is felt keenly by households across the country, where nutritious vegetables are a dietary staple. 

Noteworthy shifts

Comparing the Central Bank’s daily price reports from 6 June 2023 to last Thursday (6) reveals noteworthy shifts in vegetable prices over the past year.

Beans have experienced a noticeable decline, moving from a range of Rs. 375-700 to Rs. 275-600. Conversely, carrots have seen a substantial increase, with prices rising from Rs. 145-320 to Rs. 295-420. Cabbage prices have remained stable, holding firm at Rs. 290-480. Tomatoes have witnessed a slight increase, transitioning from Rs. 140-320 to Rs. 200-360. 

Brinjal prices have significantly dropped from Rs. 325-600 to Rs. 275-560, while pumpkin prices show a slight decrease at the lower end, adjusting from Rs. 85-160 to Rs. 45-120. The price of Snake gourd has risen, shifting from Rs. 245-480 to Rs. 265-460.

A significant increase has been noted in green chilli prices, surging from Rs. 165-600 to Rs. 325-700. Conversely, lime prices have experienced a notable decrease at the lower end, moving from Rs. 850-2,000 to Rs. 300-600.

Furthermore, a Month-on-Month (MoM) comparison from 6 May to 6 June reveals significant fluctuations in vegetable prices, with most commodities experiencing substantial increases. Beans saw prices rise sharply from Rs. 200-480 to Rs. 375-700, while carrot prices remained stable, increasing slightly at the lower end. 

Cabbage prices moderately increased, particularly at the lower end, from Rs. 70 to Rs. 90. Tomato prices surged dramatically, with the lower range doubling and the upper range rising from Rs. 200 to Rs. 320. Brinjal prices saw a steep rise, moving from Rs. 130-360 to Rs. 325-600. Pumpkin prices experienced a smaller increase, with the lower range moving from Rs. 43 to Rs. 85. Snake gourd prices increased significantly, with the lowest price jumping from Rs. 95 to Rs. 245. 

Green chilli prices fluctuated greatly and lime prices remained volatile, with a minor decrease at the lower end but an increase at the upper end from Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 2,000. Overall, most vegetables have seen substantial price increases over the past month, reflecting significant market fluctuations.

Farmers’ challenges

In light of ongoing challenges within the agricultural sector, P.A. Dharmadasa, a potato farmer from Welimada, lamented: “We’ve been grappling with post-harvest losses for years and it’s disheartening to witness the Government’s neglect of modern technologies. Without adequate facilities and assistance, our toil in the fields often goes in vain, amplifying production costs and jeopardising our livelihoods.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Sivadasan, a farmer from Nuwara Eliya, emphasised: “Farmers are constantly battling against nature’s uncertainties – be it unpredictable weather or rampant pests and diseases. However, the real frustration stems from the Government’s failure to equip us with the necessary tools and resources to mitigate losses and enhance efficiency. Without access to post-harvest technologies, we’re left vulnerable to market fluctuations, struggling to offset escalating production expenses.”

Karunapala, hailing from Hambantota, highlighted the critical need for enhanced post-harvest infrastructure, stating: “The absence of adequate facilities poses a significant barrier to our agricultural progress. Without proper storage, processing, and transportation mechanisms, we’re compelled to offload our produce at compromised rates, failing to realise fair returns for our labour. It’s imperative that the Government prioritises investments in post-harvest technologies to bolster farmer support and uphold food security across the nation.”

Price controls unfeasible

All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation (ACFF) President Namal Karunaratne emphasised the impracticality of price control measures for vegetables, advocating instead for the introduction of innovative post-harvest technologies to curtail wastage.

“Implementing price controls is not a viable solution, especially for vegetables. While the Government may set prices, variations inevitably occur by the time they reach consumers, rendering any Government guarantees ineffective,” Karunaratne articulated.

Highlighting the challenges of price monitoring, he stated: “The Government struggles to regulate prices of basic commodities like rice, sugar, and onions, despite their gazetted prices. Monitoring vegetable prices poses an even greater challenge due to the diverse range of varieties and the intricate supply chain involving multiple middlemen. With at least six intermediaries involved, including wholesale traders and retailers, ensuring uniform pricing becomes increasingly complex.”

Karunaratne stressed the urgent need to prioritise investments in post-harvest technologies to streamline the vegetable supply chain, minimise losses, and ensure a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Responding to the concerns raised by farmer unions regarding the lack of post-harvest technologies in Sri Lanka, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera attributed the decrease in post-harvest losses from 40% to 25% to improved packaging practices adopted by farmers during transportation of vegetables and fruits.

He noted that farmers were now more aware of appropriate packaging methods.

When asked about introducing cold rooms and freezer trucks, the Minister highlighted that supermarkets were already implementing effective post-harvest technologies to prolong the shelf life of produce.

However, he acknowledged that these methods may not benefit roadside vendors or market sellers.

Attempts to reach National Institute of Post Harvest Management Chairman Chandrasoma Peiris for comment were unsuccessful.

Post-harvest losses

According to the National Audit Office’s findings, one of the primary objectives of the National Post Harvest Institute was to reduce post-harvest losses in agricultural crops. 

A preliminary survey conducted in 2009 revealed that post-harvest losses in agricultural crops ranged from 30-40%. However, despite a decade passing since the survey was conducted, the institute lacked a comprehensive database to assess the current percentage of post-harvest losses minimised. This absence of data hampers the ability to measure the effectiveness of efforts aimed at reducing post-harvest losses in agricultural crops.

Despite conducting research since 2009, the institute managed to obtain patents for eight inventions. However, due to the lack of provided information, the audit was unable to determine the contribution these inventions made to the country’s economy, particularly in the fields of agriculture and post-harvest practices.

It was noted that while patents had been obtained, the outcomes of the research had been primarily limited to the acquisition of these patents, with little evidence of broader economic impact or application within the agricultural sector.