Fuel crisis disrupts vegetable supply in Korba markets

Korba | Correspondent: A severe diesel shortage in Korba is now affecting vegetable supplies and pushing up prices in local markets. The movement of trucks carrying vegetables from other states has slowed sharply, disrupting supply to major wholesale markets such as Budhwari and Itwari.

At present, the city is mainly depending on vegetables coming from nearby rural areas and neighbouring districts. Farmers from Katghora, Kartala and Korba blocks are bringing produce in small vehicles like pickup vans and auto-rickshaws.

Locally grown vegetables such as okra, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, radish and leafy greens are still reaching the markets, helping keep prices stable for now. Some supplies are also arriving from Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Janjgir-Champa.

However, traders say local produce alone will not be enough to meet the city’s demand for long. Earlier, Korba markets regularly received onions, tomatoes, capsicums and cauliflowers from Maharashtra cities like Nashik, Pune and Nagpur. Supplies of potatoes, garlic, chilies, coriander and lemons from Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have also dropped sharply.

The diesel shortage and rising transport costs have further worsened the situation, with many truck drivers unwilling to operate at earlier freight rates.

Tomato prices have already seen a steep rise. In just 15 days, prices have increased from ₹15 per kg to nearly ₹40–50 per kg due to supply disruptions after the local tomato crop ended.

Traders said that while several large trucks carrying vegetables earlier arrived daily, wholesale markets are now witnessing very low inflow. They warned that if the situation continues for another week, prices of many vegetables could rise further, affecting common consumers.