Nagpur: Wholesale vegetable brokers operating at the APMC Kalamna market have announced an indefinite strike from February 5, raising fears of supply disruptions and a possible spike in vegetable prices across Nagpur. The agitation, led by the Jai Kisan Vyapari Welfare Association, has been simmering for over two weeks and is now set to intensify.
Leaders of the association said that around 250 to 300 brokers dealing in vegetables at the Kalamna market yard will join the strike, effectively bringing wholesale trading operations there to a halt. Kalamna, along with the Mahatma Phule Market, popularly known as Cotton Market, are the only two major wholesale points where farmers sell vegetables to traders in Nagpur.
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04 Feb 2026
Although the strike call is limited to brokers based in Kalamna, market experts warn that the move could create a supply-demand imbalance, indirectly affecting operations at Mahatma Phule Market as well. Any disruption at Kalamna, they say, is likely to ripple through the city’s supply chain, potentially pushing up retail vegetable prices.
The core issue dates back to 2016, when authorities shifted nearly 120 brokers from the congested Mahatma Phule Market to the APMC Kalamna yard to ease overcrowding. At the time, the relocated brokers were assured that permanent shops would be allotted to them. However, over the years, the number of vegetable brokers has grown substantially. While some traders were eventually accommodated with stalls, many continue to operate without dedicated shop space.
Brokers who are yet to receive allotments allege irregularities and lack of transparency in the distribution process. Vinod Lokhande, founder of the Jai Kisan Vyapari Welfare Association, alleged that authorities failed to follow established norms while allotting shops, leaving several original transferees sidelined despite years of assurances.
Meanwhile, APMC Nagpur Secretary Dinesh Chandel downplayed concerns over supply disruption, stating that the protest involves only a specific section of traders. “The agitation is limited, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure that the supply of vegetables remains smooth,” he said.
With the strike deadline approaching, consumers and retailers are watching developments closely, as any prolonged standoff could have a direct impact on daily kitchen budgets across Nagpur.
