The prices of vegetables, especially, tomatoes has hit the roof. There has been no signs of the prices coming down.

However, the president of the wholesale vegetable merchants association, A. Akbar, assures that the prices would stabilize in the next 20 days.”When we say the price will stabilize, we mean that it will be sold at Rs. 30 per kilo in the wholesale market,” he says.

Currently a crate of 30kg tomatoes is sold at Rs. 1,700 (Rs. 60 a kilo) in the wholesale market here. In Ulavar Sandhai that is managed by the government the price stands at Rs. 80 per kilo and at department stores it is priced between Rs. 85 and 95.

Covai Post learnt that around 50 trucks of tomatoes reach the market here. “Each truck carries around 10 tonnes of tomatoes. From here they are transported to Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Pollachi, Mettupalayam and Coimbatore city,” says Basheer, proprietor of S.A. Vegetables.

“In Tamil Nadu the vegetable is cultivated between December and February. We experienced floods in December. The rains could have damaged crops as a result of which we are struggling now,” Basheer adds.

In the local grocery shops the situation is not very encouraging. People hesitate before placing orders for the vegetable. “It requires meticulous planning now. We cannot avoid the vegetable at the same time buying it is denting our pockets,” says Prasad of Sai Baba Colony.

Endorsing him is his neighbour who says that she had to compromise on her taste and cooking style. “During our college days we used to discuss gold price. But now I talk about tomato price with my friends,” says Renuka.