Heavy monsoon rains in Bengaluru, India, caused substantial damage to avarekai (also known as Indian bean or hyacinth bean), NewsFirst Prime reported. The loss has put both farmers and consumers in a difficult position.
What is going on?
According to NewsFirst Prime, the price of the popular Indian staple has risen to between 80 and 400 rupees per kilogram (roughly $1.96 to $9.75 per pound) due to reduced supply.
Some customers who typically buy it in bulk during the peak winter season are buying less or nothing at all.
“So far, the price of a [kilogram] of avarekai should be stabilized at around ₹ 40 to ₹ 50 [$0.45 to $0.55]. But it is still as high as ₹80 [$0.89],” Neelamma, an avarekai seller in Bengaluru, told The Hindu.
NewsFirst also noted that retail prices of drumsticks (the seed pods of the Moringa tree used in many regional dishes) have recently risen.
Drumsticks cost about 600 rupees per kilogram (about $14.63 per pound) last December due to torrential monsoon rains in 2025. In November, a kilogram of drucks was worth between 150 and 200 rupees (about $3.65 to $4.88), according to News18.
Why are vegetable prices rising in India concerning?
Farmers depend on reliable crop yields for their income and to keep food on the table.
With erratic weather that affects the harvest of basic vegetables, it can be challenging for them to cope. Even with government support and farming strategies that adapt to the climate, it may not be enough. Reduced supplies mean that consumers pay more for groceries and may have to visit multiple stores to find what they need.
News18 also reported that drumsticks are important in meeting the nutritional needs of many in India, particularly children and the elderly. Due to the high cost of vegetables, families may have to replace it with other products that are less nutrient dense.
India is among the countries most affected by extreme weather events due to its geographical position, high population density, and socio-economic factors. Heavy monsoon rains in 2025 caused heavy loss of grape and pepper varieties for farmers as well.
What can be done to help?
The Hindu noted that favorable weather conditions are helping avarekai crops recover, so markets should pick up again soon. News18 reported that some households and restaurants are temporarily switching to cheaper and more readily available vegetables. The change, however, affected certain ceremonial and festive activities.
Domestically, the US Department of Agriculture recommends that farmers rotate crops to mitigate heavy losses and improve flood resistance. The Council on Energy, Environment and Water – an India-based think tank – noted that crop rotation is a “vital traditional farming system” in India as well. One group of women in India found that installing solar pumps to irrigate crops is helping them increase food production, support their fellow farmers, and achieve economic independence.
One of the best ways to help farmers around the world ensure food security and economic stability is to buy food locally when possible. Switching to energy-efficient appliances and vehicles, which can help cool the planet and save money on utility bills, can also help.
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