Vegetable prices come down in Koyambedu, retail markets

According to traders, the price of vegetables like Bellary and small onions, drumstick, green peas and tomatoes has fallen steeply. The price of tomatoes, which hovered between Rs 60 and Rs 70, has fallen by half, and is now being sold for Rs 30. Similarly, the price of drumsticks, which had earlier skyrocketed to Rs 180, is currently available for Rs 80. The price of other vegetables like Bellary and small onions has come down to Rs 40 and Rs 60 respectively. 

“Ever since the heavy rain in the southern districts and Karnataka, the price of vegetables had gone up, as a large quantity perished in the weather. However, with the sunny weather of the last few weeks, farmers were able to salvage large quantities of fresh vegetables,” said a trader in Koyambedu market. He also said that the number of lorries transporting vegetables has also increased to around 250, from the earlier 140. 

VR Soundararajan, president of Koyambedu Wholesale Traders Association and member of Market Management Committee, said, “We expected the price of vegetables to reduce in January 2018. There has been good cultivation of vegetables in the state. Moreover, the intensity of rain has steadily declined in the southern parts of the state, besides Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.”