THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of pot sellers who have lined up the streets of Karamana, East Fort, Manacaud and Attukal areas ahead of Pongala say their profit margin has decreased as middlemen in Tamil Nadu have jacked up the prices.
Millions of earthen pots that are expected to be sold in the city ahead of Attukal Pongala have become pricier.
A mid-sized pot which was Rs 60 before two years now costs Rs 80. A small earthen pot used for offering Pongala in Rs 100 kalams’, now costs Rs 25. The big one which is used to make payasam costs Rs 120.
“They are made in the potters’ villages in Madurai and sold at throw away prices. They become expensive by the time they reach Nagercoil. Since Attukal Pongala has gained immense popularity over the years, they know when to jack up prices. This leads to lower profit margins,” says Sudhakaran, a vendor who bought 10,000 pots.
As per Shyamala, another vendor, at least 50 are lost in transit from a load of 2,500 pots as they break during transportation.
Though some have started offering Pongala in stainless steel utensils, most of them stick to the tradition of using earthen pots to make sweet.
