Consumers in Tamil Nadu are feeling the pinch as vegetable prices soar due to reduced arrivals. The wholesale price of tomatoes in Chennai has surged from INR 40 per kg last week to INR 80 per kg on Monday, doubling within a short span of time.
According to traders, the price of a 15-kg box of tomatoes witnessed a significant jump from INR 500 on Saturday to INR 900 on Monday. There are concerns that the prices may continue to rise further. In the retail market, tomatoes were being sold at approximately INR 100 per kg.
S Muhammed Rafiq, a retail trader at Koyambedu market, has stated that the increase in prices over the course of the week can be attributed to a shortage in supply. This scarcity has had a severe impact on businesses operating in the market.
Over the past 30 days, there has been a substantial increase in the wholesale prices of onions and shallots (sambar onions). Onions have seen a surge from INR 10 per kg to INR 25 per kg, while shallots have experienced a jump from INR 40 per kg to a range of INR 70-INR 90 per kg. Additionally, ginger prices have risen significantly from INR 60-INR 70 per kg to INR 200 per kg within a span of one month.
The price of Sabre beans has increased by INR 80 per kilogram, rising from INR 30 last month. Elephant yam (karunai kilangu) is now being sold at INR 50 per kilogram, compared to INR 40 per kilogram last month. The price of yam (senai kilangu) has doubled, reaching INR 50 per kilogram. Brinjal and beetroot are both being sold at INR 50 per kilogram. On Monday, the price of snake gourd and chayote (chow chow) also reached INR 30 per kilogram, gradually increasing over the past 30 days.
There have been fluctuations in the prices of certain items such as beans and ladies finger. Last month, the price of ladies finger ranged from INR 15 to INR 60 per kilogram, but on Monday it was INR 35 per kilogram. The price of beans decreased from INR 120 per kilogram to INR 100 per kilogram.
The intense heat and lack of water have affected arrivals to the wholesale market, thereby leading to the price rise, said Senthil Kumar of Anna Wholesale Vegetable Seller’s Association.
“Prices are on the rise for the last one month and we expect it to go up further in the coming days as festivals are lined up before the Aadi month.”
The Muhurtham days scheduled for July 5, 7, and 9 are anticipated to result in a rise in demand.
On Monday, due to a decline in arrivals at MGR Market in Coimbatore, tomatoes were available at INR 80 per kilogram in the wholesale market and INR 95 per kilogram in the retail market.
“Due to limited arrival from nearby areas like Krishnagiri and Udumalaipettai and neighbouring states of Karnataka, the price went up. On an average day, the market receives up to 2,300 tonnes of tomato and it dropped to 400 as on Monday,” said P Marisan, a wholesale commission agent from the market.
The primary cause for the decrease in arrivals is attributed to the monsoon rainfall in Karnataka, as stated by the source.
