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The unimaginable increase in the price of tomatoes and ladies finger in Chennai, whats going on?
Posted on: 24/Nov/2021 9:53:00 AM
Who would have thought that the price of tomatoes would rise extraordinarily in a span of a few months?
It is amazing to note that just a couple of months back the price of tomatoes was just Rs 20 per kg and the price has gone to Rs 120 per kg in Koyambedu wholesale market in Chennai. Truth is that the retail prices have gone to Rs 150 per kg. Heavy rains in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have led to shortage of tomatoes and due to this reason the prices of tomatoes increased unimaginably.
If fresh supplies of tomatoes do not arrive at the market, then the price of tomatoes would shoot up further. This was mentioned by some traders. From the usual 50 truckloads of tomatoes, just 30 truckloads arrive now at this important market in Chennai. It is learnt that supplies of other vegetables have also been reduced by 30% now.
Mr. M. Thiagarajan, president of Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Sellers Welfare Association expressed his thoughts. He spoke about how since there was demand for tomatoes, competitive bidding was increasing the prices of tomatoes. Yesterday, 2 truckloads of tomatoes arrived from Maharashtra and this has kept the tomato rates from going further.
The heavy rains have damaged 70% to 80% of crops and this has led to poor supply of vegetables. Point is that tomatoes are in huge demand in AP and in other states like TN and Karnataka etc.
From Madanapallee, Pungannur and Palamner in AP, tomatoes normally reach Chennai based Koyambedu wholesale market. From Sreenivasapuram, Chintamani and Kolar in Karnataka tomatoes reach Chennai. Information is that from Krishnagiri the tomatoes reach Koyambedu market.
A Chennai based housewife spoke about how normally she would buy one or 2 kilos of tomatoes and how now she could buy just 500gms due to the hike in the prices. She added that the retail prices are hovering around Rs 135 to Rs 150. In many retail markets, other vegetables like lady’s finger or vendakka are not available and this vegetable costs Rs 120 per kilo now. The consumers are happy that atleast potatoes and onions cost less than Rs 50 per kilo.
Mr. Abdul Khader, secretary of Koyambedu Vegetable Wholesale Merchants Association, pointed out that from Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kilo, the price of cabbage has shot up to Rs 40 now. He threw light on how there would be more rains in Chennai and how it would increase the prices of vegetables further.
