Wholesale prices for key produce across Sri Lanka have surged dramatically following continuous heavy rainfall, threatening further financial strain on consumers ahead of the upcoming festive period.
Trade figures from major distribution hubs, including the Manning Market in Colombo, reveal significant price hikes affecting both upcountry and low-country crops over recent days.
Tomatoes registered the steepest increase, climbing from a previous wholesale range of Rs. 350 to Rs. 400 per kilogram to a peak of Rs. 600 to Rs. 650 per kilogram.
Capsicum prices rose sharply from Rs. 250 to between Rs. 400 and Rs. 450 per kilogram, while cabbage more than doubled in cost to reach Rs. 350 per kilogram.
Former Manning Market Traders Union Chief Organiser Anil Indrajith said that adverse weather patterns had severely disrupted supplies across key farming regions, making tomatoes the most expensive staple in the market.
Current market data indicates that beans are trading between Rs. 400 and Rs. 500 per kilogram, with green chillies fetching between Rs. 350 and Rs. 400 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, carrots are selling at between Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 per kilogram, and leeks are holding steady at approximately Rs. 200 per kilogram.
Indrajith cautioned that wholesale rates are likely to escalate further across the island as household demand intensifies in the coming weeks.
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