Vegetable supplies to the markets have declined sharply following the continuous heavy rains over the past few weeks, with the prices of almost all varieties nearly doubling amidst low production and deteriorating quality, according to the Peliyagoda Manning Market General Traders’ Association.
The association’s President Ajith Kalutharage told The Sunday Morning that vegetable production had declined by approximately 50% due to the adverse weather, resulting in considerably lower quantities reaching the market.
“There has been a massive price increase; prices have doubled. For example, if a vegetable was Rs. 250 previously, it has now become around Rs. 450–500,” he said.
Kalutharage attributed the decline in production to the impact of rainfall on crops. He explained that flowers were falling off plants, preventing the generation of fruits, while various plant-based diseases were also affecting crops.
According to him, around 90% of vegetable varieties have experienced price increases, with several recording significant increases over the past few weeks.
Pumpkin prices, which had generally been around Rs. 140–150 per kilo, had risen to approximately Rs. 270–280, while carrots had increased from Rs. 250–300 to Rs. 550–600 per kilo, he acknowledged.
Furthermore, Kalutharage added that banana chillies (malu miris) had also increased from around Rs. 400–450 to Rs. 700–750 per kilo. Meanwhile, ridged gourd (wetakolu) is currently selling at around Rs. 450–500 per kilo, snake gourd (pathola) at around Rs. 500, tomatoes at Rs. 650, and beetroot at approximately Rs. 1,200 per kilo.
“Every crop has been affected and there is a significant shortage of every vegetable. They are reaching the market in quantities much lower than what is required,” Kalutharage stated, noting that rainfall had affected almost every variety of vegetable.
He also highlighted concerns over the quality and shelf life of vegetables, stating that produce was spoiling much faster under the prevailing humid weather conditions.
“It’s difficult to keep a vegetable even for a single day when it rains, whereas in dry weather, a vegetable can be kept for two to three days without spoiling. Therefore, vegetables reaching the market today have to be sold today itself; they cannot be kept until tomorrow,” he said.
Additionally, Kalutharage acknowledged heavy rainfall as the reason for the current market disruption, adding that there were no issues relating to seeds, fertilisers, and transportation.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reports show a substantial difference in vegetable prices between November 2025 and November 2026, with several varieties recording considerably higher prices this year.
According to the CBSL’s Daily Price Reports of 13 November 2025 and 12 November 2026, the retail price of carrots at the Pettah market increased from Rs. 230 per kilo to Rs. 500, while tomatoes rose from Rs. 150 to Rs. 650. Cabbage prices increased from Rs. 150 to Rs. 750 per kilo, and pumpkin from Rs. 100 to Rs. 300. Green chillies also recorded an increase from Rs. 250 to Rs. 400, while beans rose from Rs. 350 to Rs. 500 per kilo.
The increases were also reflected in the Dambulla market, where retail prices of carrots rose from Rs. 128 to Rs. 570 per kilo, tomatoes from Rs. 105 to Rs. 530, and cabbage from Rs. 145 to Rs. 605. Pumpkin prices increased from Rs. 65 to Rs. 270 per kilo, while beans rose from Rs. 355 to Rs. 520 per kilo.