New Delhi: Despite government interventions and seasonal changes, vegetable prices remain high compared to pre-pandemic levels.According to a Mint analysis, in the past three years, vegetable prices were nearly 25% higher on average than in the pre-pandemic years (FY15 to FY19). In those five years, the annual average of the consumer price index for vegetables hardly moved – not because prices stayed calm, but because up-and-down cycles meant relative stability in yearly averages, the newspaper reported. That’s no longer the case. Pointed gourd (parwal) has suffered the most, averaging Rs 140 during FY22-FY24 for every Rs 100 you had to pay during FY15-FY19, followed by radish at Rs 136 and carrot at Rs 135. Tomato also made it into the top 10, Payal Bhattacharya and Pragya Srivastava reported for Mint.Climate change effects, such as heatwaves and irregular rainfall, have exacerbated price volatility, with instances like tomato prices rising due to uneven rains.“From negative 8.5% in March 2023, vegetable inflation hit a peak of 37.4% in July before moderating to 2.8% in October and rising again to 28.3% in March 2024,” the report said. The previous financial year experienced several adverse weather events, such as a below-normal monsoon, warmer climate, and unseasonal rains, all contributing to the sustained high vegetable prices. However, the current financial year might diverge from this pattern if the India Meteorological Department’s prediction of a normal monsoon materialises. Nevertheless, extreme heat is also anticipated from April to June, potentially maintaining elevated vegetable prices.“Vegetable prices are usually higher in summer. Potato prices were 13.4% higher in April than in the previous month, data from the Department of Consumer Affairs showed. Tomato prices were up 2.4%, marking the first monthly rise since November 2023. Onion prices continued to fall for the fifth straight month, but are still about 42% higher than they were last year,” the report said.Experts told Mint that vegetable prices in April-June could continue to remain firm amidst the severe heatwave that is going on in the country.The price pressures could be short-lived as an “above-normal” monsoon is expected this year, they said.