Veggie prices drop with increase in production

Coimbatore: The increase in production of tomato and other vegetables has led to a slight drop in prices across local markets in the city. Traders say there has been a sizeable drop in vegetable prices at the farm gate and increase in arrivals.
However, vegetable retailers say the price drop is limited to only low-grade vegetables and is likely to be temporary.

Customers who went to buy vegetables on Thursday found tomatoes selling at Rs 10/kg, a sharp Rs 5 drop from Rs 15/kg it was selling last week.

Other vegetables like cabbage also was found at a lower price of Rs 8 compared to last week’s price of Rs 12. Cauliflower and small onions were sold at least Rs 4 to Rs 6 cheaper than last week’s rates.

Vice president of Saibaba Market T K Sounderrajan confirmed that prices had fallen this week.

“Many vegetables that did not grow during the frost, bloomed recently after the temperatures changed. Farms that saw yields of around 10 to 12 tonnes, saw a yield of 15 to 16 tonnes,” he said. “As a result, we have also reduced our prices,” he added.

City-based hotelier Vivek Srinivasan confirmed that vegetable prices had dropped in the wholesale market. “Prices of all high-grade vegetables, including tomato, have fallen to around Rs 13 to Rs 15/kg. Our sellers say it was due to fall in vegetable exports from Kollar region in Karnataka, leading to over-supply in our markets. But it is a temporary phenomenon and we expect it to rise again later this week and next week, because there are many muhurthams,” he said.

Dorairaj Chinnasamy of Pazhamudhir Nilayam said in the wholesale market, they are seeing a difference of Rs 2 to Rs 3 in high-grade vegetables.

“A small difference occurs on a daily and weekly basis because of constantly shifting demand and supply,” he said.