Thiruvananthapuram: Most Malayalis in the Gulf countries may not have their Vishu ‘sadya’ on a banana leaf this time. For, the quantity of banana leaves exported has come down. Wholesale banana leaf merchants blame it on the sparse rainfall in Tamil Nadu, from where most banana leaves come. There is a shortage of green banana leaves, and the cost has gone up. Banana leaves cost at least Rs 5 per piece, according to C. Murali, a merchant in Chalai market. “I do not buy in bulk as it costs so high. Every year, the price keeps on increasing. However this time, there was not enough rain. Last year, the cost of a leaf was Rs 2 to Rs 2.5,” he says.
They say most of the leaves they get would have started yellowing, or would be torn because of the winds in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, one cannot use just about any leaf for ‘sadya’. The ideal ‘sadya’ leaf, according to exporters, comes from two varieties of plantain – ‘monthan’ or ‘peyan kaya’ and ‘rasakadali.’ The leaves of ‘palayamkodan’ are too thick. An official at an export firm says that this year, the quantity of ‘sadya’ vegetables and fruits exported was also less.
