Vegetable prices skyrocket in Coimbatore, Salem

This has resulted prices of essential commodities, especially vegetables, shooting up in Coimbatore and Salem districts.

The traders claim that they are forced to pay the pick-up vehicles in par with the regular trucks. Already, the supply of vegetables to important markets in the region has come down by 50 per cent. 

Explaining the situation, R Sudhakaran, president of the Salem Anadhairakkam Aatroram Kaikari Market Vyabarigal Sangam, which is the main market in the city that supplies to the rest of the district, said, “The market, which has about 67 shops, used to get 2.5 to 2.75 tonnes of vegetables a day. Now, it has been reduced to just one tonne per day.” 

“We get tomatoes from Rayakottai and Shoolagiri in Krishnagiri district, potato, carrot and beans from Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district and capsicum and few other vegetables from various markets in Bengaluru and Mysore,” he said. 

Explaining the plight of the traders, Sudhakaran said, “Before the strike, we used to get 1.5 tonnes of vegetables transported to the market from Met tupalayam at Rs 6,000. Now, we are paying Rs 4,800 per trip for a pick-up van that carries about 600 kgs of vegetables.” 

The strike has affected the farmers too he adds. “The farmers, who survived the drought are now unable to sell their produce. If their products are not transported to the market in time, they will have no choice but to throw them away.” 

Prices of vegetable procured from other states have sky-rocketed. Capsicum, which is around Rs 29 per kg in Karnataka markets will cost Rs 65 per kg in Salem due to the increased transportation cost and toll fees hikes. 

Similarly, a 24-kg box of first quality tomatoes, which was priced at Rs 350 - Rs 400 before the strike has increased to Rs 600 now.