Ayudha Pooja: Prices of flowers, fruit shoot up in city markets

“At hovering at low level for over a month, the price of fruits has gone up drastically. The supply has also decreased. Now, we are receiving only 40 truckloads of fruits against the usual daily supply of 60 to 70 trucks loads. At present, apple is being sold for Rs 150 per kg, pineapple for Rs 50 per kg, orange Rs 100 per kg and pomegranate Rs 120 per kg,” said S Dhanasekar, secretary, Kai Kani Malar Podhu Nala Sangam.

Vegetable traders also saw the prices going up by 15 to 20 per cent for last three days for Ayudha Pooja. Due to shortage of supply, the prices of a few vegetables have increased from Thursday. Currently, tomatoes are sold for Rs 50 per kg, onions for Rs 40-45 per kg, broad beans Rs 55 and beans Rs 50-55, said P Sukumaran, secretary, Koyambedu Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers Merchants Association. He added that they are expecting a fall in price of tomatoes within few days.

According to S Mookaiah, secretary, Koyambedu Malar Podhu Vyabarigal Sangam, the prices of flowers have also increase due to fall in supply. Now, jasmine is sold for Rs 750 – Rs 900 per kg, jasmine sambac (mullai) for Rs 400 – Rs 450 per kg, rose Rs 120 – Rs 160 and tuberose (sambangi) Rs 140 – Rs 200.At the Flower Bazaar in Parry’s Corner, flowers are sold double the rate as compared to the price in Koyambedu wholesale market. Jasmine is sold for Rs 1,200 per kg, jasmine sambac for Rs 500 and tuberose for Rs 250-300.