CHENNAI:Courtesy copious rain and uninterrupted transport, the prices of essential vegetables like tomato, brinjal, cabbage and carrot have reduced by about 20 per cent — a dip that market vendors at Koyambedu have found to be a phenomenon every summer. “Since last month, prices of carrots, tomatoes and brinjal have been on a down swing keeping in tune with the relative prices of these vegetables,” said V R Soundarajan, advisor to Koyambedu Market Wholesalers’ Association.
With the interior and Southern parts of the State receiving more than ample rainfall over the last few days — rainfall recorded as 136.2 mm on an average across the State — prices have been steadily coming down. There was a marginal increase in onion prices at the turn of the month, but that has stabilised again.
But not all veggies that make it to your platter are as lucky. “Drumsticks, butterbeans, peas and cauliflower are seeing increases between Rs 10 and Rs 20 owing to them not being in season. The prices of these vegetables are expected to see a Rs 5 increase till the month of July,” he added.
With good rains, it takes over a month’s time for most of the produce to reach the sale stage. This is why there is more than an adequate supply coming from different parts of Tamil Nadu that is keeping the vegetable prices stable through the summer, he added.
Hankering for Meat Keeps Getting Dearer
Meat is seeing an upward climb by over Rs 20 per kilo, owing to the increased cost of procurement, processing and storage because of its perishable nature during the summer.
“The price of mutton has gone up by Rs 20, compared to last week. On Sunday, the wholesale price of one kilo of meat was Rs 420, while retail price soared to Rs 500,” said Anwar Basha Qureshi from Mutton Sellers Association.
Chicken isn’t too far behind. Manavalan, Treasurer Poultry Dealers Association said that the retail price of one kilo of chicken was Rs 110, while the whole sale price was Rs 98. Two months ago, the wholesale price was Rs 60 while the retail price was Rs 80. “During the bird flu scare in AP, the prices reduced, now the market is good for us,” he added.