Sugarcane prices up in Koyambedu Pongal special fair
Posted on: 14/Jan/2019 8:54:15 AM
Due to the devastation caused by the cyclone Gaja, the quantity of sugarcane that usually arrives at Chennai Koyambedu wholesale vegetable market for the important occasion of Pongal when a special fair is organised is considerably less and consequently, the price of sugarcane has shot up to the extent of Rs. 400 for a bunch.
The Pongal special fair is being organised from 8th January at the flower stalls of the Chennai Koyambedu wholesale market for fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
In this special Pongal special fair, all items for the celebration of the most important festival in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pongal, including Pooja items and vegetables are being sold
There has been an appreciable increase in the number of buyers who visit this fair for the festival purchases.
The price details:
- Turmeric plant – a pair – Rs. 20 to 40
- Banana tree saplings – a pair – Rs. 40
- Marigold (samanthi poo) – a ‘muzham’ (arm’s length) – Rs. 20
- Kadambam flower, Kanakambaram, and jasmine – per ‘muzham’ – Rs. 24
- A single piece of pumpkin (about 5 kgs) – Rs. 70
- Coconut – single piece – Rs. 20 to 30
- Lemon blossom (Aavaarampoo) – a bunch – Rs. 10
- Scutch grass (arugampul) – a bunch – Rs. 5
- Banana – a dozen – Rs. 40
- Banana – a larger bunch (a tar) – Rs. 300
- Coconut seaves decoration - a bunch – Rs. 10
- Plantain leaf per piece – Rs. 5
- Bhogi festival drum for children – Rs. 30 to 100
- Sweet potato and yam per kg – Rs. 40
- Lima beans and Bengal gram beans *Mochaikkaai and thuvaraikkaai) per kg – Rs. 50
Sugarcane price up
In this year’s Pongal fair, in the wholesale market, a bunch of 15 sugarcanes (based on their quality) is sold at Rs. 240 to Rs. 400. In the retail market, a single piece of sugarcane is sold at Rs. 40. During last year, a bunch of 20 sugarcanes was sold at Rs. 300. However, this year, the quantity of sugarcane arriving in the fair has been less leading to an increase in the price.
P. Suresh, from Melur, Madurai, one of the regular sugarcane traders in the Koyambedu annual Pongal Fair, explained:
‘Annually, 30% of the total sugarcanes arrive from the delta districts. However, due to the devastation caused by the cyclone Gaja. The quantity of sugarcanes despatched from the delta districts has been far lesser. Due to this, many traders have procured sugarcanes from the farmers in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Panruti, and Salem. However, the people in these regions sell only the excess quantity left after meeting their own demands. So, the price of sugarcane has shot up this year!’
Regardiding the fair arrangements, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Koyambedu Pongal Special Fair, S, Rajendran, shared: ‘The farmers/agriculturists who grow the Pongal-related items can directly sell this produce here in this fair. An extra space of 3.5 Lakh sq. ft. has been specially arranged for this purpose.
Even the charges for setting up the sales stall in the Pongal special fair are reasonably less! So, the farmers/agriculturists can avail this ideal opportunity. For further information, please contact - 044 – 24791133.’
