The prices of certain vegetables have skyrocketed in the city. Green peas and beans are now priced at a whopping Rs. 190 per kg.
This is in sharp contrast with prices in March when most vegetables were selling at as low as Rs. 10 or 15 per kg. Traders have blamed the rising temperatures for the current prices. They say that supplies had reduced as vegetable crops have wilted under the scorching heat.
According to an official from the Vegetable Market Association, The rates will remain high for at least a month till the city receives steady supplies from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A box of tomatoes weighing 14kg was sold in the wholesale market for Rs 800 while the retailer was selling it at around Rs 80 per kg. Tomato production in Royakotta in Krishnagiri district and other parts of and other parts of Dharmapuri has dropped significantly. The produce there is sufficient only for the local market and this has affected the distribution in the city.
A home maker from Kilpauk said, In branded supermarkets, even green chillies are selling at Rs 120 per kg. The prices of vegetables are so expensive that even a bunch of coriander costs Rs 10. If you want to buy 250g of beans, you have to shell out Rs 30.