Quantifying seasonal market trends for tomato, pumpkin and cabbage in Guwahati (Assam, India)

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to examine the seasonal and trend patterns in wholesale prices of tomato, pumpkin and cabbage over different seasons in Guwahati city, Assam. From time series and box plots, the study found that pumpkin prices are higher in November rather than lower prices during April or June. We find that cabbage is priced lowest from January to May and induces peaks in prices, rising the most in October. During January-April, tomato prices fall and reach a low point in April. From May onwards, the prices increase and peak in November. We performed the Mann-Kendal trend test, which showed no significant trend in the prices of all three perishable crops. It was proven that it is weakly loading and uniform across all years. Seasonal indices show a rise in the prices of pumpkins from May to October, cabbage from April to October and tomatoes from April to October reflecting their shorter shelf life and seasonal nature of these crops.