Mint Primer: Red hot prices and other effects of the heatwave
Mint explores. The heatwaves sweeping eastern, central and southern states began two weeks back. A heatwave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) says, happens when a rise in air temperature turns fatal for humans exposed to the heat—when maximum temperatures are at least 4.5-degree Celsius higher than normal.
In coastal areas, where humidity is high, heatwaves can be declared if temperatures cross 37 degrees. On Tuesday, maximum temperatures were in the 43–46-degree Celsius range in parts of Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, and 4-8 degrees above normal in parts of West Bengal and Bihar. The heatwave is unlikely to impact the wheat crop as harvesting is on.
Other winter crops like pulses and oilseeds have been harvested already, and the upcoming Kharif crop season only begins with the onset of the south-west monsoon in June. But the heatwave can severely hit production, storage, and transport of perishable crops like fruit and vegetables. Short duration vegetables are not only susceptible to heat, but also among the most volatile elements in the food inflation basket.
Data shows that retail food inflation was at a high of 8.5% in March. Consumer vegetable prices were already 28% higher year-on-year. As on Tuesday, tomato prices were 62% higher than last year.
In the summer, tomatoes from cooler growing regions feed the demand as supplies from hotter plains dry up. The heatwave is among factors that have impacted production of mangoes in Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra, leading to higher prices of the popular summer fruit. A heatwave reduces milk output due to heat-stress and loss of appetite.
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