Chennai: The cost of most vegetables increased by at least 40 in retail markets as Cyclone Fengal affected the arrival of vegetables into Koyambedu. Onion was selling at 90 a kg, potatoes at 50 a kg, and tomatoes at 60 a kg. Seasonal vegetables such as carrots and beans were sold for 80 a kg in neighbourhood shops.
"The wholesale rate of all vegetables has gone up. We are forced to increase the price," said Selvakumar R, a retail vendor in Arumbakkam.
Traders at Koyambedu market attributed the price hike to a fall in arrivals due to bad roads, floods and rain in various districts. Koyambedu small and wholesale traders welfare association president S S Muthukumar said the market generally receives 8,000 tonnes of vegetables every day. Due to the cyclone, this dropped to 3,500 tonnes on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to more demand and higher prices.
The disruption in transport from Villupuram and Cuddalore significantly reduced the supply of vegetables such as brinjal and lady's finger. Additionally, trucks from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand were delayed due to adverse weather conditions.