PANAJI: Vegetable supply from Belagavi, which was briefly suspended for three days due to rising Covid-19 cases in Karnataka, resumed on Wednesday, much to the relief of vendors in the state. This however is a temporary resumption of services as suppliers from the neighbouring state anticipate another weekend lockdown in Belagavi.
“Owing to rising Covid cases, we have to keep the APMC in Belagavi closed. As of now, we have been instructed not to supply to Goa on Saturdays and Sundays. The supply will be normal only through the week,” said Vineet Bichu, a vegetable supplier from Belagavi.
Another supplier, Ramesh Pawale said that the supplies will continue to this Friday, before they go on a break from Saturday to Monday.“We will resume operations form Tuesday,” another supplier, Ramesh Pawale, said, adding that there is also shortage of vegetable due to scattered procurement owing to the new restrictions.
The prevailing weather conditions of rain showers and humidity have resulted in damage to crops, thus leading to a price rise.
While vendors in Goa are slightly relived with supplies having normalised after a three-day hiatus, they are however troubled by the quality of the greens coming in. Even resorting to plan-B of sourcing greens from Sankeshwar has not helped.
“Leafy greens and coriander are coming in from Sankeshwar but due to the impact of rain, these are not fresh. Even some the vegetables coming from Belagavi currently are not of great quality,” said Bashir S, a vegetable vendor from Taleigao.
