According to market sources, vegetable prices which had dropped during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year period have now begun to rise due to reduced arrivals to wholesale centres.
In retail markets, beans are being sold at around Rs. 500 per kilogram, leeks at Rs. 300, carrots at Rs. 450, green chilies at Rs. 400, and gourds at about Rs. 200 per kilogram.
Low-country vegetable prices have also increased, with items such as brinjal and bitter gourd selling at around Rs. 600 per kilogram, while okra and other varieties are also reported in the Rs. 400–600 range depending on quality and supply.
Officials at the Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre said the price increase is mainly due to a temporary supply shortage in May, as farmers typically release larger harvests to the market during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year season, leading to a slowdown in post-festival supply levels.
