Vegetable prices drop due to surplus from high yields

“Yes, there has been a steep drop in the prices of all vegetables in the market. Tomato, potatoes and onion are selling at Rs 1520 per kg, Rs 17-18 per kg and Rs 20-30 per kg. With more arrivals from the states of Andhra and Karnataka and from Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Palani and Ottanchathiram, tomato prices reduced by half and is sold for Rs.15/kg as against Rs.30/kg. One kg of drumstick has dropped from Rs.100/kg to Rs.80/kg. Carrot is among the vegetables that witnessed a price drop. It was sold for Rs. 35/kg,” says V R Soundarajan, honorary president, Koyambedu Vegetable Market Association. 

Koyembedu vendors said the decrease in wholesale prices was resulting in more take off in the retail market. “Cost of beetroot, broadbeans, bittergourd and bottlegourd cost Rs.10 lesser than usual.

However, fruits like apple, sapota and orange remained pricey following low yield,” said K Jayaraman, member of Koyembedu Vendors Association. The price of many vegetables had soared following heavy torrential rains a few months ago that damaged the crops. With the situation limping back to normalcy, the prices of vegetable have dropped again.