Every March in Chennai, the prices of vegetables usually increase with the rising temperatures. However, this year, vegetables prices have not risen for two months and heavy rainfall during last year’s northeast monsoon is cited to be the reason for the good yield and low prices.
Traders at the Koyambedu wholesale market note that the cost of most staple vegetables is within Rs. 20 a kg. Some vegetables, including brinjals, are sold for less than Rs.10 at the wholesale market this summer.
This downward price trend is expected to continue for at least a fortnight as arrivals from the neighbouring States pour into the Koyambedu wholesale market, which is the hub of perishable goods in the city.
Wholesale traders note that the prices of most vegetables are 15 per cent less compared to the same period last year.
Raw mangoes have also started trickling in this summer from various places. P. Sukumar, vice-president of Koyambedu Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers Merchants Welfare Association, said, “We are getting up to 10 lorries, including some from Karnataka, bringing mangoes to Chennai every day. This is expected to double in April and the price will decrease by half. One kg of raw mangoes is sold for Rs.40 a kg now.”
However, prices are expected to increase by mid-April as yields may decrease then, say traders.
