Vegetable prices to go up as rain hits supply

Continuous downpour has also affected yield, say traders

Price rise: With rain hitting supply, vegetables will be costly this week.

Vegetables could cost more this week. Traders say with rains, the supply of many vegetables has dwindled due to their perishable nature.

A. Balu, president of Vellore Town Nethaji Market Kaikari Vyabarigal Sangam, the prices of most vegetables would be slightly high. “Vegetables such as brinjal, tomato, broad beans and ladies’ fingers will cost more, especially ahead of Deepavali,” he said.

The supply of most vegetables has dwindled due to rains, he said, adding, “There are regular rains in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu from the beginning of October. This has affected both the yield and supply,” he said.

One kilogram of onions will cost between ₹20 and ₹35 depending on the variety, and shallots will cost ₹90 to ₹100, he said.

Tomatoes are priced at ₹35, and potatoes from ₹15 to ₹20.

Ladies’ fingers are priced at ₹20 to ₹30/kg, while broad beans (avarakkai) will cost more at ₹50, due to low supply.

The thorny variety of brinjal is priced at ₹50 per kg, while other varieties will cost ₹20 to ₹30. Carrots and beans will cost ₹40 and ₹50 respectively, while snake gourd will cost ₹15 and bitter gourd ₹20.

Drumsticks are also expensive at ₹100 to ₹120/kg and radish will cost ₹30. Ginger is priced at ₹20 (new) and ₹40 (old), he said.