Alappuzha: As the Sabarimala festival season influences Alappuzha’s vegetable market, consumers and traders are observing notable price fluctuations. While some vegetables like onions, beans, and potatoes have become more affordable, the costs of others, including carrots, tomatoes, and ladyfinger, have surged.
Onions, previously priced at ₹70 per kilogram, now cost ₹60-65, and beans have seen a dramatic reduction from ₹160 to ₹70. Potatoes have dropped to ₹50 per kilogram, while cauliflower and bitter gourd prices have decreased to ₹60. In contrast, carrots have climbed to ₹90 per kilogram, ladyfinger has risen from ₹30 to ₹70, and tomatoes now cost ₹50 per kilogram. Coconut prices, driven by festive demand, have also increased to ₹70 per piece.
Market activity has slightly improved since the Onam season, but traders like V.A. Fazaluddin, President of the Alappuzha Fruits and Vegetables Merchants Association, express concerns about reduced consumer spending due to financial challenges.
Farmers are also facing setbacks, particularly in poultry. Rumors about bacteria-resistant chicken have reduced demand for local poultry, with traders opting for imports from Tamil Nadu. Duck farming restrictions in Alappuzha are compounding the woes, with many ducks being sourced externally. Local farmers find it hard to compete, and some are discreetly continuing operations despite restrictions.
While market activity offers some optimism, the fluctuating prices and challenges in poultry and duck farming underline the complex dynamics faced by both traders and farmers during this festive period.
