CHENNAI: Onion prices have spiralled in the city following the rise in prices across the country. The prices of other vegetables have also risen dramatically.

The rain, which brought relief to city residents, is the prime reason for the nationwide spurt in vegetable prices as the market has been getting fewer loads. Traders reckon that prices may come down only after Diwali.

Onions, which were selling at Rs. 15 to 18, cost Rs. 22 a kg in the wholesale market. The price has soared to Rs. 30 a kg in the retail market over the past three days.

Fall in sales

V.R. Soundarajan, vice-president, Chennai Koyambedu Vegetable Market Licensed Traders' Association, said onion prices have risen after seven years. The steep rise has led to fall in sales as customers are buying only half the amount of vegetables that they usually do.

Only 200 tonnes of onions were being sold daily, which is less than half the usual offtake of 500 tonnes. The market received its onion stock from Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Mr. Soundarajan cited insufficient stock of onions as a result of heavy rains in Maharashtra — the major supplier to the Koyambedu market — as the reason for the rise in prices. This is in sharp contrast to the situation in October 2004, when several tonnes of onions perished due to excess arrivals and the market price dipped to Rs. 2 a kg.

Diesel price

The diesel price hike has also caused the increase in prices of other vegetables such as peas (Rs. 60), potato (Rs. 10-12), carrot (Rs. 22), brinjal (Rs. 8-10), and radish (Rs. 10).

The number of lorry loads to the Koyambedu market has come down from 500 loads to 300 loads a day. The increase by about Rs. 3,000 in the rent of lorries has also reflected on the prices, traders said.

Tomatoes, sold at Rs. 8-10 a kg until a fortnight ago, cost between Rs. 12 and Rs. 15 a kg now. The prices of vegetables such as avaraikai, beans and cauliflower have doubled to Rs. 25 a kg. The non-seasonal drumstick, which was sold for Rs. 12, now costs Rs. 15. The prices of beetroot and lady's finger (Rs. 8), ginger (Rs. 18-22), cabbage (Rs. 5) and green chillies (Rs. 6-8) are holding steady. The Koyambedu wholesale market supplies about 200 retail markets in the city. In the retail market, the prices of essentials are higher by at least Rs. 5 a kg.

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