Happy Onam for wallets

Kochi: A sharp rise in the price of vegetables and fruits, a regular occurence in festival season, is absent during Onam season this year, bringing much relief to consumers. With locally produced vegetables and fruits in plentiful in the market, the demand for vegetables from other states is at a minimum and therefore the trend of deliberately jacking up prices is absent.  Traders say that, on the contrary, the price of vegetables had registered a decrease during Onam.  The rate of very few vegetables like banana (nedran) and banana (njalipoovan) has increased, but only by a nominal 10 to 20 per cent. 

“In Ernakulam market, the wholesale price of many vegetable varieties has come down due to poor demand. Cowpea which was priced at Rs 80 two days ago has come down to Rs 35 as there are no takers. Since the special organic vegetable markets started by political parties, cooperative societies, NGOs and residents associations supply enough locally produced items, no one is buying vegetables brought from other states. There is considerable decrease in sales volume in Ernakulam market,” said C.D Saji of S.R Vegetables, Ernakulam market.

It is surprising that drumstick, carrot and lady’s finger are now being sold at Rs 26, Rs 27 and Rs.34 respectively, whereas the prices were in the range of Rs.60 to Rs.80 during Onam last year.  However, because of the increase in making chips during the festival, the demand for banana (nedran) is very high and it is being sold at a wholesale price of Rs 60 to Rs 65. Meanwhile, flowers, plantain leaves, ready to eat payasams, banana chips and other take home Onam special delicacies have registered a significant price rise. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Kudumbasree, self help groups, religious and community organisations, hotels and caterers have started Onam special food counters which have many takers. Palada pradhaman and parippu payasam, the most popular desert varieties, are being sold in the range of '180 to '260 per litre.