Organic food a big hit this Onam

Kochi: As people are becoming more aware of the bad effects of chemical fertilizers and the use of pesticides, the demand for organically cultivated vegetables, fruits, pulses and cereals is on the rise.

During Onam shopping, organic shops and stalls at trade expos selling naturally grown products did good business which indicates that organic food is slowly catching on in the city and suburbs.

Vegetables and fruits topped the shoppers’ list. All branded organic outlets in the city and outskirts registered good turnout during the festive season.

During Onam, shoppers thronged the special stalls of organically grown vegetables from neighbouring states, at Tripunithura and other busy shopping areas. Even in big shopping malls and supermarkets, organic vegetables had more takers.   

“During Onam, when the price of vegetables skyrockets, people are not reluctant to shell out extra to buy organic products. Though the price of organic vegetables is higher by at least 20-35 per cent than what is available in the market, the rate was almost similar during Onam days due to the price rise.

Besides, customers are more concerned about the quality of products and not the price,” said an outlet owner.

Locally produced items like pickles, jaggery and masala powders were also in demand. K.N Shaji, writer and critic, who owns an organic shop in the city, said traders at expos and special stalls exploited people’s taste for organic produce.

“Since there is no mechanism to check the quality of organic products being sold through trade fares, people are often being exploited. Organic products should be affordable to all people and it should not be just a business for making money,” he said.