Surplus supply fetches low prices for veggies, fruits at Koyambedu

Chennai

The traders, however, expect the prices to go up by next week as there is likely to be a shortage in supply. 

“For almost a month the prices of vegetables were down. Since a majority of people follow a vegetarian diet during Puratasi month, we had ensured more supply of commodities. But the sale was not as expected and there is a drop in prices by 20 per cent this week too. Also, with many states receiving good rains resulting in good crop cultivation, there was excessive supply to the market of all the vegetables,” said P Sukumaran, Treasurer, Koyambedu Wholesale Merchants’ Association. 

He added that from next week there would be a hike in prices of English vegetables including carrots, beetroot, cauliflower, capsicum, and beans, as there will be a supply shortage. Now, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes are sold for Rs 15-20 per kg, small onions Rs 30 per kg, beans Rs 20-25 per kg, broad beans Rs 20 per kg, carrots Rs 40-50 per kg, and beetroot Rs 15 per kg. 

Similarly, the fruit market also didn’t get the expected sales as only a few purchased fruits during the Puratasi month. 

S Dhanasekar, Secretary, Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Merchants’ Association said, “Every week of Puratasi month, there will be pooja at temples and houses and the sale would be at the peak. But this year, the situation is not the same, only 50 per cent of the business was there, which leads to a continuous decrease in price.” 

With the fruit prices down by 15 per cent, pomegranate was sold for Rs 80 per kg, apple Rs 100 per kg, grapes Rs 40 per kg, sweet lime Rs 40 per kg, pineapple Rs 30 per kg, and orange Rs 100 per kg.