CHENNAI: This Pongal, consumers will have their platters full as supply of vegetables at the Koyambedu market is too high.With the prices of select vegetables rising by a few rupees, the usually busy market lacked the usual cacophony, as consumers were scarce with a few bargaining on vegetables. “This is mostly due to the Pongal holidays. Today is Friday and most of the people will be planning their trips and as such, the demand for vegetables is less during Pongal. It is only the locals who buy vegetables,” said S Rammohan of NRC Agro, a wholesale shop in Koyambedu market.Interestingly, barring the prices of sugarcane and ginger plants, prices of vegetables were affordable with many selling in the range of Rs 10-Rs 25, except brinjal and carrot, which have risen to Rs 30 a kg. Rammohan said country vegetables like brinjal and bittergourd are in demand and are being sold above Rs 15 a kg, while English varities are being sold at the same price.Sugarcane, which was sold at Rs 400 for a bundle of 10 last year, is now being sold at Rs 500 per bundle and there may be a further hike depending upon the supply, said Balasubramanian, a trader. The ginger price is now Rs 3,000 per 60 kg, he added. Rammohan said the rise in prices of sugarcane is due to the non-availability of the commodity after cyclone Thane affected the crops in Cuddalore and Villupuram.The prices of onions, which were skyrocketing last year and selling at Rs 50 per kg, are now available for Rs 2 to Rs 8 per kg, as per wholesale price.Another trader Natrajan said that the prices of onion, potato and other vegetables were affordable as there was excess supply in the market.
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