The rains and subsequent floods in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka seem to have had an impact on the local wholesale market, which might soon translate into rise in prices of certain essential commodities, say a section of traders.
According to S. Chandran, secretary of the Koyambedu Periyar Market Licensed Merchants’ Association, several vegetables are being sent to areas close to flood-hit regions in the two States. “Vegetables such as carrot, beetroot, cabbage, beans, ginger and drumstick are being sent in trucks. So, we might have a shortage here and, therefore, a price increase,” he says. With the price of several vegetables on the rise for the past few weeks, he predicts a further increase of 10 to 20 per cent of most vegetables.
Supply of rice
With regard to the supply of rice, wholesalers in the city say the stock position is comfortable as of now. With the wholesale market sufficiently stocked at the moment, customers need not worry, says A. Visweswara Rao, president of the Tamilnadu Food Grains Merchants Association.
In fact, the city is so comfortable that it is sending rice to some pockets of the neighbouring States, according to M. Jayapalan, vice-president, Red Hills Paddy and Rice Wholesale Merchants Association. “Moreover, our own yield in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram has increased considerably this year.”
Dal price soars
However, the story is different for dal. According to wholesale trader S. Chandra Mohan of S.V. Maligai in Varadha Muthiappan Street, George Town, the last two days have witnessed a rise in price of almost all varieties.
The wholesale rate of urad dal, for instance, has gone up by Rs.6 in the last two days, and costs Rs.66 a kg now. Toor dal costs Rs.84 a kg and moong dal has gone up to Rs.72 a kg. “Our main supply is from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and that has been hit badly following the floods there. It may go up even further by the end of this week if the rains continue,” says Mr. Mohan.
A provisions storeowner in Anna Nagar, however, said there had not been any significant increase in the retail prices of the pulses.
