KOCHI: Prices of vegetables and fruits, which have been stable and reasonable during the last couple of months, witnessed a sharp surge in the last two weeks ahead of Vishu. Drought in Tamil Nadu and truck strike are the major reasons cited. Though domestic production of vegetables has seen a gradual increase in the last couple of years due to the vigorous awareness and promotion campaigns, their quantity is still grossly insufficient to meet the state’s requirement. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are the biggest suppliers where the intense summer has badly hit the cultivation.
“Though truck strike has not severely hit the cargo movement, there is a huge decrease in vegetable arrivals from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. On an average, nearly 25 truckloads of vegetables come to Ernakulam market whereas the number has come down now. Vegetables are not sent to Kerala but being auctioned at high prices for exporting,” said Shameel M., wholesale dealer in Ernakulam market.
Meanwhile, the locally produced veggies like bitter gourd, snake gourd and green chilly from areas like Kuruppampady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Koothattukulam are not reaching Ernakulam or other markets in urban areas. They are being sold through local outlets and have high demand.
“If price rise in the past had hit only one or two commodities at a time, this time round, almost all items have become dearer. The trend which began last month has not shown any signs of stabilising and will continue until production in neighbouring states is back to normal,” said Saji C.D., another vegetable dealer. The most expensive are small onion – Rs 68 a kg, French beans– Rs 85 a kg, beetroot – Rs 65 per kg, green chilli – Rs 65 a kg, carrot – Rs 69 a kg and bitter gourd at 'Rs 50 per kg. The retail price will be Rs 5 to Rs 10 higher than the wholesale market rate.
