New Delhi, July 5: The rising prices of vegetables across parts of the country have become a huge concern among the consumers. Early monsoons have affected the crops resulting in lesser produce, but the consumers are also flummoxed by the marked difference between wholesale and retail prices.

In the national capital, even coriander is now selling for Rs 150 per kg. Prices of tomatoes and capsicums have seen a 100 per cent increase. "The price of each vegetable has gone up. Tomatoes now cost Rs 100 per kg," said a vegetable vendor in Delhi.

In Lucknow, tomatoes are selling for Rs 80 per kg - a hike of Rs 50 and onions are being sold for Rs 30 per kg - twice its earlier price. In Kolkata too, vegetables like beans are being sold at a whopping Rs 130 per kg. "Even if the prices rise, what can we do? We can't stop eating. It's the same problem for everyone," said a consumer in Kolkata.

In Mumbai, it's the drought that has sent the prices soaring. Vegetables such as cauliflower, brinjal and bittergourd are selling at Rs 60 per kg. Hoping to ease the burden of the aam aadmi, the Maharashtra state marketing federation will start 10 vegetable centres in Mumbai next week, where vegetables will sold at a 30 per cent cheaper rate.

The Maharashtra government aims to increase the number of such centres to 100 soon. The state Agriculture Minister said the initiative was thought of after widespread complaints of retailers charging exorbitant prices for vegetables.