Unseasonal Rain Hits Vegetable Supply in Pune, Prices Fall Due to Weak Demand

Pune, 4th April 2026: Even as unseasonal rainfall has disrupted the supply of vegetables in Pune, prices have declined due to a sharp drop in demand from the hotel and food industry.

Over the past two to three days, unseasonal rains across Pune district and nearby regions such as Solapur, Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur have affected the arrival of fruits and vegetables at the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard. Farmers, fearing damage to their produce due to the rain, have been sending smaller quantities to the wholesale market.

Despite the reduced supply, vegetable prices have not increased as expected. Traders say the main reason is weak demand from hotels, eateries and mess facilities, many of which are currently shut due to a gas shortage.

Heavy rain on Thursday also led to waterlogging in parts of the market yard. However, since trading activities had concluded by the afternoon, no major damage to the produce was reported. The water receded by late evening.

According to Balasaheb Konde, head of the fruit and vegetable department at the Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), both reduced arrivals and weak demand have influenced the current market trend. He said that while supply has dipped, the fall in demand has had a stronger impact on prices.

The market yard remains closed on Saturdays, and arrivals are expected to normalise from Sunday, April 5, he added.