Chennai
On Wednesday, the price of tomato was flirting dangerously close to the three figure mark, of Rs 100 (a kilo), in some upmarket shops. At Rs 75 a kilo, the cost was only marginally better at Koyambedu, the wholesale haven for not only retailers, but also for homemakers.
“Prices of everything from dhal to oil have been high for a while now. Until recently, we had the fishing ban, and good fish came with a big tag. When food prices go up, they have a direct bearing on children’s health,” says R. Jayanthi, a mother of two.
“With the academic year upon us, the least children deserve is good, healthy food,” says another parent. Data released by the government on Tuesday said vegetable price inflation went up by 2.21 per cent to touch close to 13 %. Food inflation for the month of May was almost double of April, touching 7.88 per cent from 4.23 per cent.
However, residents are not satisfied with answers from economics books. They simply want prices to drop. However, traders say the price may not drop anytime soon. According to them, there are a number of reasons for the hike in prices of vegetables.
“Heat is a major problem. Firstly, the soil soaks up a lot of water and we have to pump extra water for the plants to grow. A lot of electricity is used in pumps for irrigation. Secondly, when these veggies are transported, a lot of them are spoilt in the process causing losses,” says V R Soundarajan of Koyambedu Vegetable Market Association. The only silver lining? The central government held a meeting on rising food prices on Wednesday. Many residents hope something good will come out of it, and their sambar will have tomato instead of red colouring.
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