Cyclone Fengal impact: As rains disrupt supply, vegetable prices go up marginally at Chennai's Koyambedu market

CHENNAI: The recent widespread rains have hampered the supply of vegetables to the Koyambedu wholesale market, sending prices surging in the city.

As opposed to 500 truckloads of perishable commodities that arrive in Chennai from neighbouring states every day, the number has gone down to 460.

Besides Tamil Nadu, Cyclone Fengal triggered heavy rainfall in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh – two states that the city relies on for its vegetable supplies – over the past few days, disrupting the supply of vegetables. “The past two days, only 420-450 truckloads of vegetables arrived. On Tuesday, it increased to 460. So, prices have increased marginally, and sales continue to be dull since last week. We’re hoping supply will be steady once the roads are cleared for transportation,” said R Babu, a wholesale trader at the market.

Traders say that harvesting has been affected by the rains, which has led to a shortage in supply; so there won’t be any abnormal surge in vegetable prices in the immediate future. “The next crop cycle will begin from January 1. Farmers are currently harvesting matured crops and there has been no significant damage to crops that could impact prices. Supply will return to normal on Friday, and we expect the prices to drop then,” said G Manohar, another trader at the market.

Wholesale price/kg

Onions – Rs 70-80

Tomatoes – Rs 50

Beans – Rs 70

Broad beans – Rs 50

Potatoes – Rs 30

Brinjal – Rs 30-40