The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Red chilli prices plummet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Red chilli prices plummet

Staff Reporter

Traders attribute this to high yield of the product

HYDERABAD: Red chilli, which brought tears to households for the past three months with its steep prices and reduced supplies is finally bringing cheer, that too during the all-important pickle season.

This pickle season has seen a heavy influx of the pungent and potent product at different markets in the twin cities.

The cost of top variant chillis like Khammam Teja that fluctuated between Rs. 55 and Rs. 75 per kilogram in the wholesale markets till March are now available for about Rs. 40, said M. Janardhan Rao, an official of the Mahbub Mansion Market Yard. This season markets are flooded with wide variety of chillis offering different budget options for the consumers. "Chilli varieties like 334, 335 and 235 are being offered between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 per kilogram," explained Mr. Rao.

Traders attributed the downfall in chilli prices to high yield of the product. "A majority of farmers this year sold their yield before March as against April. As a result, prices plummeted," says K. Murali, a commission agent at Mahbub Mansion market.

The other reason behind the decrease in prices is the unseasonal rain reported at different parts of the State. This forced farmers to sell the product at relatively low prices because most farmers do not have the facility to preserve their yields.

Market experts predict chilli prices would rise once again after June when supplies begin to dwindle.

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Andhra Pradesh