Adequate veg supply decreases price in Koyambedu market

CHENNAI: As the third crop harvest season had commenced in south India covering Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the Koyambedu wholesale market had started receiving a steady inflow of vegetables bringing the much-awaited wholesale rate correction. Retail buyers were surprised with 20 per cent price correction of popular vegetables like tomato, brinjal, carrot, beans, and raddish.

However, price reduction will be shorterm correction as cultivation season will subsidise by mid September 10. From then, the prices will surge throughout the monsoon season, Koyambedu market sources said.

P Sukumaran, Secretary, Koyambedu Wholesale Market Merchants said, “After a long gap, over 450 – 470 truckloads of vegetables arrived at the market. As Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states experienced intense rainfall for the past few days, it helped the production to increase. From next month, the production will gradually reduce in the middle of the month marking the end of third crop season. And the vegetable prices will see an uptrend till November.”

If the State witnesses heavy spell in the coming days, crops will be damaged and affect the growth of vegetables which will lead to a surge in the prices than usual. Currently, tomatoes are sold for Rs 15 per kg, onions Rs 20 per kg, potatoes Rs 25 per kg, radish, brinjal 10 – 15 per kg each, beans and broad beans Rs 25 per kg, and carrots Rs 30 – Rs 60 per kg.

The vegetable traders witnessed a brisk sale for the last few days. However, the business is expected to remain dull from Sunday ahead of Vinayaka Chadhurti.

“Customers purchase fruits for Vinayagar Chathurthi, Ayudha pooja, the rates might increase, otherwise at vegetable markets the prices will remain stable with a possbility of marginal decrease,” said S Babu, a wholesale vegetable trader at Koyambedu.