In Coimbatore, soaring vegetable prices eat into family budget

COIMBATORE: While tomato prices are still high, shallots are also burning a hole in the pockets of city residents.
Shallots are now being sold at Rs 180/kg, compared to 60 a month ago. The price has doubled in just one week.
With vegetable prices skyrocketing, residents are scrambling to buy the cheapest variety.
The trend has upset the family budget, said P Palaiappan of Gandhi Maa Nagar.“After tomato prices went up a couple of weeks back, we are having dishes with no tomatoes. Now, shallot price has also shot up. I have stopped buying shallots and substituted them with onions,” he told TOI.
There is no indication of tomato prices coming down as they are being sold at Rs 120/kg in retail stores, compared to 100 two weeks back.
“The cost of preparing carrot-beans poriyal is the same as making chicken dishes. My family prefers chicken fry and egg-based side dishes as they cost the same as vegetables,” said K Vimala of Sowripalayam.
According to farmers, shallot supply from Mysore has come down, causing shortage in Tamil Nadu.
Shallots are cultivated in Namakkal, Perambalur, Trichy, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur.
Farmers had cut down area under shallot and tomato cultivation after prices nosedived frequently, said T Rajamani, a Madukkarai-based farmer. “I recently sowed tomatoes, but it will take a couple of months for the harvest.”
Meanwhile, beans are sold at Rs 100, chilli at Rs 110, carrot at Rs 80, beetroot at Rs 55, brinjal at Rs 65 and lady’s fingers at Rs 45.