Prices of plantain leaves go high
Posted on: 13/Jan/2016 3:00:58 PM
Since plantain trees were destroyed due to heavy rains and gusty winds, the prices of banana leaves have gone very high.
People prefer to eat in banana leaves. Since the green colour cures indigestion. Keeping this in mind, people prefer to eat in banana leaves during Pongal festivals and marriage functions. It is also used in restaurants. Plantain trees are cultivated in more than 1000 acres at Thiruvallur, Tirutani, Chidambaram, Tirunelveli, Srivaikuntam, Thenkasi, Thanjavur, Kumbakkonam, Madurai, Melur, Virudhunagar and Rajapalayam. It is also cultivated in Nellore, Cuddapah and Tada in Andhra Pradesh. The banana leave bundles are brought from these places in 25 lorries to Chennai. Few months back, the leave bundles were sold between Rs 350 and Rs 400 depending on the quality. But due to heavy rains during the last two months all the banana trees were destroyed. Because of this there was short supply of banana leaves.
In many of the restaurants instead of using plastic plates, they have started using banana leaves. Since the Pongal festival is nearing there is a great demand for banana leaves. Now the prices have doubled. A leaf which was sold for Rs 10 is now being sold for Rs 20.
One of the merchant of Koyambedu wholesale market said that 25 lorry loads of banana leaves bundles use to come daily to the market but for the last 2 months due to heavy rains, there was short supply of leaves which resulted in hike of prices. There are chances of prices of leaves going very high in the coming days.
