Following the post-Pongal festival period, the prices of several essential vegetables, including tomatoes and onions, have experienced a significant decrease. However, some vegetables continue to remain expensive, affecting household budgets.
Fluctuating Vegetable Prices
Vegetables are a fundamental part of daily cooking, with tomatoes and onions being staples in many Indian households. The prices of these items, however, have been volatile, often fluctuating drastically. For instance, tomato prices can swing from ₹120 per kilogram to as low as ₹5-10 per kilogram, while onions have been priced as high as ₹100-120 per kilogram for several months, due to supply constraints.
Price Drop Following Supply Increase
The prices of tomatoes and onions have seen a noticeable drop in recent weeks. After a surge in costs earlier, tomatoes are now being sold for ₹10-15 per kilogram, while onions are priced between ₹35-45 per kilogram. This price reduction follows an increase in supply during mid-December, allowing households to purchase these vegetables in larger quantities.
Pongal Festival Brings Price Hike
The demand for vegetables surged during the Pongal festival, leading to a sharp increase in prices. Vegetables that were priced at ₹30 per kilogram before the festival saw a significant rise, with some reaching ₹80 per kilogram. This price hike put a strain on household budgets, but since the festival, prices have started to decline.
Current Vegetable Prices
As of today, the prices for a variety of vegetables are as follows:
- Pumpkin: ₹25 per kilogram
- Radish: ₹15 per kilogram
- Ridge Gourd: ₹40 per kilogram
- Snake Gourd: ₹20 per kilogram
- Ivy Gourd: ₹30 per kilogram
- Chayote: ₹10 per kilogram
- Cluster Beans: ₹50 per kilogram
- Cauliflower: ₹20 per piece
- Ginger: ₹50 per kilogram
- Beans: ₹25 per kilogram
- Eggplant: ₹20 per kilogram
- Drumstick: ₹70 per kilogram
- Cucumber: ₹20 per kilogram
Koyambedu Market Vegetable Prices
At Chennai’s Koyambedu market, today’s prices are as follows:
- Carrot: ₹50 per kilogram
- Cabbage: ₹20 per kilogram
- Broad Beans: ₹30 per kilogram
- Butter Beans: ₹70 per kilogram
- Bottle Gourd: ₹30 per kilogram
- Bitter Gourd: ₹25 per kilogram
- Capsicum: ₹50 per kilogram
- Potato: ₹30 per kilogram
- Beetroot: ₹30 per kilogram
- Green Chili: ₹25 per kilogram
- Tomato: ₹15-25 per kilogram
- Shallot: ₹80 per kilogram
- Onion: ₹20-40 per kilogram
Conclusion
While the prices of many vegetables have dropped following the Pongal festival, fluctuations in the market remain a concern for consumers. Households have been able to benefit from the recent price reductions, but some vegetables, particularly onions and shallots, continue to be priced at higher levels. The situation reflects the ongoing challenges faced by consumers in managing household expenses related to essential food items.
