According to Sunil Bansal, the chief executive officer (fruits & vegetables) at Mother Dairy, the adverse weather conditions have had an impact on vegetable prices.

'However the prices of fruits and vegetables at Safal shops of Mother Dairy are comparatively lower than market prices. This is possible because of the strong procurement network we have with farmers,' Bansal told IANS.

Authorities at the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) say that things are likely to improve in the coming weeks.

'The potato crop in West Bengal was spoilt and that affected the market here and retailers have taken advantage. The Punjab crop is due and things will improve in a few days,' S. Yadav of APMC told IANS.

Similarly, the tomato prices too are likely to stabilise and come down. 'The drought conditions in many states and the heat had affected the tomatoes which is a perishable item. Now with the rains, the situation is already improving.'

Yadav, however, warned that the prices of onions would rise further.

'Maharashtra is the main producer of onions and when the floods hit, which is likely soon, it will be difficult to transport the stock from fields where they are stored. Retailers will take advantage but we planned in a recent meeting that like two years back when the same situation had occurred, the railways would be used to transport onions,' Yadav said.

For pulses too, around 80 outlets are being opened across the national capital to sell them at controlled prices. Of the rationing offices, 67 are situated in different assembly constituencies of the capital.

According to the latest estimates of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there has been a significant improvement in monsoon rain since July 1, with the deficit based on long-term average coming down from 46 percent to 27 percent.

Out of India's 36 meteorological sub-divisions, rainfall was deficient or scanty in 29. The IMD has announced the monsoon in the country to be 'below normal' this year.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has admitted that the delayed monsoon was a 'serious problem' in northern India.

(Shweta Srinivasan can be contacted at shweta.s@ians.in)