Veg prices double as Koyambedu market stays shut

The Koyambedu wholesale market association office-bearers cited the shortage of stocks as the reason for price hike and said that prices would come down when fresh stocks arrive after the new market opens at Tirumazhisai.

“Till Tuesday, all vegetables were sold within Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg. After the Koyambedu Market was closed, there are only limited stocks. Loads will come only after the new market opens. Most of the vegetables, except may be five or six items, are out of stock,” said Saroja R, a vendor from Washermanpet market.

Currently, beans is being sold for Rs 100 per kg, ginger at Rs 100 per kg, small onions at Rs 100 per kg, brinjal at Rs 70 per kg, tomato at Rs 40 and onions at Rs 40 to 50 per kg.

“We purchase vegetables from the vendors who are selling from carts, as we are in a containment zone. They sell for double the price compared to the vegetables we brought two days ago. They sold ladies finger for Rs 160 per kg, potatoes Rs 100 per kg and tomatoes Rs 50 per kg,” said Rajalakshmi R, a vendor at Royapuram.

Earlier, the market used to receive 400 truckloads every day. But when the number of positive cases increased in the market, only 170 load trucks arrived. So for the last two days, the city has been managing with the vegetables they have now.

“The stock arrived only two days ago at Koyambedu wholesale market. The vegetables they have now will be sufficient only till Friday,” said P Sukumaran, secretary, Koyambedu Wholesale Merchants’ Association. “However, on May 10, when the market starts functioning, there would be fresh stocks of vegetables and the prices will be reduced,” he added.