Demand from North increases tomato prices in Chennai

A Jegadeeswari @ Chennai:

Tomato prices have crossed above Rs 90 mark due to rise in demand from the neighbouring states of Andhra and Karnataka where the particular commodity is procured.

M Thiagarajan, president of Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Sellers’ Welfare Association told Express that the demand in the neighbouring states peaked as traders from Northern parts of India, where the prices of tomatoes have gone up, frequented these markets.

“The crop is usually auctioned in these markets and we are now getting it for a higher price due to competition from these traders,” said Thiagarajan.

The city usually gets 800 tonnes of tomatoes per day. Now it is getting only 400 tonnes of tomatoes.

Currently, Koyambedu market gets only five per cent of tomatoes from the Krishnagiri belt and rest 95pc is procured from neighbouring Andhra and Karnataka. “Usually, we used to get tomatoes from Dindigul, Theni, North arcot, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Kaeripattnam etc. But due to scanty rainfall and farmers not getting enough money for their produce, there is a scarcity,” he added while urging the state government to look into the issue.

Traders fear the prices of tomatoes will continue to rise, he added.

The retail vendors also demand timely action from the government to solve this problem. "Lack of rainfall and problems of farmers must be addressed soon to prevent further rise. Skyrocketing prices are a pain to both vendors and public", said S. Senthil Kumar, a retail vendor in Koyambedu Vegetable market, expressing his concern on the issue.

M.Abdul khader, Assistant Secretary of Koyambedu Merchants Association, adds that " While the price of tomatoes has gone up substantialy,those of other vegetables, though slightly high, are more or less stable comparitively".

Tomato being a key ingredient in Tamil cuisine, the price hike is really burning holes in the pockets of middle class people. " Just seeing the prices of tomatoes makes me want to faint. It's a great stress and creates strains on our weekly budget", said S.Mythili, a house wife from Vepery, who is clueless as to the reason behind this price hike. S. Sundari, a house maid laments that they are forced to use curd instead of tomato made curries and rasam. The increase in price mainly distresses the middle and lower middle class families.