Since the onset of summer, the number of truckloads carrying vegetables and arriving at the Chennai Koyambedu wholesale vegetable market has reduced considerably. So, their prices have gone up.
As there were summer rains in the regions of Andhra and Karnataka and Nilgiri in the plantations where the vegetables are grown, this has also led to a reduction in the number of truckloads of vegetables dispatched from these regions.
Beetroot, which was sold at Rs. 13 per kg, is now sold at Rs. 25 per kg. Bitter gourd, sold at Rs. 20 per kg last week, is now sold at Rs. 25 per kg. Further, the price of tomato had gone up to Rs. 15 per kg, onion to Rs. 16 per kg, and carrot to Rs. 18 per kg.
Other vegetables such as sambar or small onion and broad beans were sold at Rs. 30 per kg. Brinjal was sold at Rs. 15 per kg. The potato was sold at Rs. 21 per kg.
When enquiring with the Koyambedu vegetable traders, they explained that the harvesting season having been over only recently and new plants are being grown, the quantity of arrival of the vegetables has come down. Consequently, the price has gone up.