Vishu has brought cheers to the market, as celebration mood has taken over the city. Shops are witnessing heavy rush after the government eased COVID-19 restrictions on account of the fall in the number of cases.
Vegetable outlets and firecracker shops witnessed heavy rush all through the day. “Despite the rise in prices of vegetables and other food stuff, people are buying them on account of the festival season,” said Leo Paul, general secretary, Ernakulam Merchants Association.
However, the volume of purchase has been hit by price rise. The rise in prices of consumables has forced people to cut down on the quantity of goods they buy. Yet, people are into purchase mode, he added.
While the prices of vegetables have gone up by around 10%, nuts and resins are expensive by around 20%. The price of banana, which is in huge demand during the festival season, has also gone up by around 25%, Mr. Paul said.
K.G. Venugopal, president of the Association, felt that the market had woken up from the pandemic-induced slumber. Business has been restored almost to pre-covid days, and people are venturing out on streets, he said.
Despite the rise in prices of essential commodities and vegetables, they are in adequate supply. There are no reports of shortage of foodstuff and vegetables in the market, he noted.
