Chennai, Nov 24, : , Chennai’s tomato prices have soared.One kg of tomatoes cost Rs 120 at the Koyambedu wholesale vegetable market, while it cost Rs 150 per kilogram in the local retail markets.Flooding has occurred in areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and the Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu due to heavy rainfall.These areas are where large amounts of crop are cultivated.
In many areas of Andhra, the entire crop has been destroyed or the crop is reduced to less than 80 percent.
M.
Palanimaickam (General secretary, Vegetable & Fruit Merchants Association, Koyambedu) told IANS that tomato was selling at Rs 20 per kilogram and suddenly the rains started.This led to the destruction of entire crops in Karnataka, Andhra, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
Farmers told us that they have suffered heavy losses and that in most cases the entire crop has been lost.In some cases, however, only a small percentage of the crop has been lost.
The product is now more expensive, which has resulted in skyrocketing tomato prices at Chennai.
However, prices for onion and potato have not risen and they are still sold at Rs 60 per kilogram.
Abdul Rahim, a Koyambedu market trader, said to IANS, “We used receive 70-80 loads of tomatoes per daily in the market.But it has fallen to 30%.” This is causing the price to rise.
According to traders, almost all of the crop in Andhra Pradesh is now damaged by heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
Okra, also known as lady’s finger, is now priced at Rs 120 per kilogram in Chennai.The price of cabbage has also risen to Rs 45-60 per kilogram.
Many people are cutting back on their purchases due to the skyrocketing prices.
Sridharan Unnithan is a retired employee at an automobile major who lives at Ashok Pillar.
He said that his family is vegetarian and that the skyrocketing prices of tomato, brinjal, and lady’s fingers have forced him to cut back on his purchases.He also suggested that he might be willing to forgo the purchase of expensive vegetables for a few days.
Traders stated that there was only one way to get relief from the high prices: a few loads from Maharashtra.This has resulted in the prices not rising to Rs 170 per kilogram.
The traders believe that rain will continue to be predicted and that there will be a severe shortage of supply.This would cause rice prices to rise in the wholesale and retail vegetable markets in Chennai, including Koyambedu.
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