Veggie price shoots up, further rise expected

Traders claimed that inflow of vegetables from other districts in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states is decreasing to some extent. They claim there is a high possibility for cost of vegetable to raise in the beginning of March. 

Cost of vegetables like beans, potatoes, onions and tomatoes have now increased by Rs 20, 15, 35 and 15, up from the earlier rates of Rs 10, 8, 25 and 8 respectively. “The slight increase has ignited our hopes and we exude confidence that price will gradually raise in the coming days. From December 2017, there is no business and we regularly throw vegetables like Brinjal and tomatoes, as there were no buyers,” said a trader. He also added that many traders were financially affected and they were made debt-ridden. 

VR Soundararajan, president, Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Wholesale Traders Federation said, “The fact remains that cost of the vegetables in Koyambedu and other local vegetable markets took a steady dip and it was attributed to the higher harvesting of vegetables across the Tamil Nadu and other states. However, things are now positive for traders, as price has increased a little bit.” However, vegetables like brinjal and Cauliflower are sold at old price ranging between Rs 8 to Rs 15 respectively. The cost of drumstick has increased to Rs 50 from Rs 40, he added. Similarly, local markets like Aminjikarai and T Nagar witnessed slight increase in the price of vegetables.