Srinagar, Mar 27 (KNO): As the month of Ramadan is near to an end, the supply of vegetables in Kashmir remained stable throughout the month, though market activity was slightly lower compared to last year, traders said on Thursday.
They said the vegetables and fruits were stocked throughout the month, with prices remaining firm and no shortage of any fruit or vegetable occurring.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Association (KVFGDU), informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the sale of vegetables and fruits was steady, but the overall business was not as brisk as previous years.
He said that earlier in the month, vegetable and fruit prices had surged due to road closures that disrupted supply chains. However, as roads reopened, the fresh supplies arrived, and prices gradually returned to normal, remaining firm for the rest of the month.
“The initial price hike was temporary and caused by supply disruptions due to bad weather closing the road. As it reopened, supply stabilized again,” Basheer said, adding that there was no shortage of any fruit or vegetable.
He added that the sale of fruits like watermelons and melons, which are usually in high demand during Ramadan, saw a decline in the first week and later stabilized.
“The chilly weather conditions impacted consumer demand in the first week and led to lower sales despite ample stock,” Basheer added, noting that demand was higher in the following weeks.
Notably, despite fluctuations in demand, officials stated there was no shortage of essential food items, and supplies remained consistent throughout the holy month—(KNO)