Dip in arrival of veggies at Koyambedu, prices soar

Vendors attribute the price rise to the rains and short supply of vegetables at Koyambedu. According to traders, the recent heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Karnakata and Andhra Pradesh has damaged the ongoing cultivation of vegetables. Further, the number of lorries arriving in Koyambedu has reduced to 180 from 200. As a domino effect, the price of vegetable soared in the local markets like T Nagar and Aminijikarai.

A vendor in Koyambedu markets said, “The price of carrot is Rs 50 a kilo, which is higher than the normal rate here.” Even beetroot has shot up to Rs 40 from Rs 20, while the price of drumstick has gone up to Rs 100 from Rs 40, he added.

Koyambedu Vegetable Market Association advisor, V R Soundararajan told DT Next that the same situation would continue till the end of December.

“More fresh vegetables will arrive in January, as rains will ease or stop.

Most vegetables are procures from the western parts and Karnataka, which have been experiencing heavy rains and damaging crops leading to the increase in price,” he said and added that there is a possibility that the price of vegetables might further increase.

Meanwhile, retail and small vendors in local markets have hiked the price by at least 20 per cent. “We have no option but to slightly raise the prices of vegetables due to low inflow,” said a vendor in Aminjikarai market.