Date:26/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112659220400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Vegetable prices come down

K. Lakshmi

Owing to increased arrivals from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

— Photo: V.Ganesan

GOOD NEWS: The significant drop in the wholesale prices of many vegetables over the last few days is expected to increase offtake in the retail market.

CHENNAI: Households with low budgets will now be able to afford more vegetables, thanks to the recent decline in the prices of most vegetables in the city.

Vendors at the Koyambedu wholesale market said the cost of several vegetables that ruled high until a few days ago had dropped owing to increased arrivals from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The price of beans and broad beans has come down by more than half in the wholesale market. While the wholesale price is Rs.8/kg, the vegetables are sold at Rs.16-Rs.18/kg in the retail market. Similarly, the cost of carrots has dipped from Rs.30/kg to Rs.20/kg because of better arrivals in the wholesale market.

V. R. Soundararajan, member of the Market Management Committee, said more yields in the neighbouring States were a major factor leading to the decline in the cost. Green peas, priced at Rs.90/kg until a few days ago, are now sold at Rs.30/kg.

The price of many vegetables had soared following heavy rains a few months ago that damaged the crops. The cost of brinjals and cabbage touched Rs.20/kg. Both are sold now at Rs.10/kg in the wholesale market, he said.

S.Chandran, Secretary, Koyambedu Periyar Market Licensed Merchants’ Association, however, said staple vegetables such as tomatoes (Rs.25/kg) and onions (Rs.18/kg) continue to remain expensive on account of less yield in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Potato is among the few vegetable whose wholesale prices remain stable at Rs.10-12/kg over the past three months.

With more arrivals to the wholesale market, greens, which was sold for as high as Rs.10 a bundle , is now sold for Rs.5, he said.

F. Ponraj, a retail vendor in Koyambedu, said the decrease in wholesale prices was resulting in more offtake in the retail market.

The retail rates, however, are almost double as the vendors pass on the transportation cost to the customers. While brinjals and cabbage cost Rs.20/kg, the retail price of carrots is Rs.40. Drumsticks (Rs.40/kg) are pricey due to low yields. The rates are expected to drop further by the year-end.