Now that Onam is over and the Malayalam month of Chingam is ending, vegetables prices that were riding high on the strength of demand have come down.
Tomatoes now cost ₹25 a kg in the Chala market for wholesale and ₹30 for retail. ‘Thundan mulagu’ that had gone up to ₹300 now costs only ₹40 a kg. The wholesale price of carrot is ₹38, and of beans ₹48 a kg.
Shallots that had gone up to ₹130 a kg a few weeks ago continue to hover in the ₹95-₹100 range, says Rajesh, a retail vendor. The price of lady’s finger has dropped to ₹15 a kg, and long beans to ₹65 for the ‘nadan’ variety. By the time these reach retail shops, the prices go up.
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Cauliflower, drumstick, coriander leaves, and large colocasia are still a bit costly, say vendors in Chala. Cauliflower is available in the ₹45-₹55 range. The wholesale price of drumstick is ₹40-₹45, while the retail price goes up to ₹60. Large colocasia costs ₹70 a kg, though the smaller variety is cheaper. Coriander costs ₹95 to ₹100 a kg.
VFPCK puts the retail price of ‘Nendran’ variety at ₹65 in Chala, while vendors across the city sell it for ₹70-₹75. Pineapple costs ₹30 a kg. Coconut and coconut oil prices are showing an upward trend. Wholesale price of coconut is ₹45, but the retail price comes to ₹50 a kg. Similarly, coconut oil that cost ₹190 a kg is now available for ₹210. The prices of provisions such as rice and pulses have not changed much, traders say.