CHENNAI: Vegetable prices will continue to rule high for at least three more weeks, as crops have been affected by rain.

Wholesale vendors at the Koyambedu market say that there is a fall in arrival of vegetables after the heavy rain in the southern states. Chennai depends on Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for almost 90 per cent of its vegetable needs.

On Tuesday, the wholesale cost of beans was Rs. 15 a kg (retail price Rs. 22). Beans is cultivated in villages near Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh.

"The fall in crop production immediately tells on the arrival of stock in the market. If the supply is less, the prices automatically go up," says Chandran, secretary of the Koyambedu Periyar Market Licensed Vendors Association. After the rain, there has been a 20-30 per cent fall in stock arrival, he said.

While cold storage facilities at the market are used to stock fruits, vegetables need to be sold the same day. Otherwise, they lose their freshness. As potatoes can be stored for five days, its price has remained stable.

Tomato seedlings are susceptible to weather changes. Whenever there is too much rain, prices shoot up. Tomatoes, cabbages, carrots and potatoes are sourced from Karnataka. Beans, cauliflowers and chillies come from Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra supplies onions. Harvest of drumsticks, one of the costliest vegetables at Rs 22 per kg, is just beginning. They are grown in Dindigul and Dharapuram areas in Tamil Nadu.

At the Koyambedu market, tomato (country) costs Rs. 18 a kg; tomato (hybrid) Rs. 12; onion (big) Rs. 16; onion (small) Rs. 15-20; potato Rs. 9; beans Rs. 15; yam Rs. 10; carrot Rs. 16; green chilli Rs. 7; bitter gourd Rs. 10; raddish Rs. 5; cabbage Rs. 5 and drumstick Rs. 22.

When vegetables move to retail markets, the prices go up by at least Rs. 7 a kg. With more rains in store, the prices will remain high till December-end.

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