Gulf war disrupts Vishu-time veggie export from Palakkad

Palakkad: The export of vegetables from Palakkad, including the traditional ‘kani vellari' (golden cucumber) used for Vishu, is facing a major crisis this season, with consignments to Gulf countries being sent in chartered flights amid severe disruptions in regular cargo services. Exporters said that the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have led to restrictions on air cargo services and uncertainty in sea transport. The disruption has come at a time when demand for vegetables typically doubles among Malayalis in the Gulf during the Vishu season. "Small and medium exporters are the worst affected. Freight charges have increased up to four times. Only those who can afford chartered flights are able to continue business," said Mohammed Shabeeb, a Palakkad-based exporter. Sea shipments have also become increasingly risky, raising concerns over spoilage of perishable goods. "The cost of sending a container has risen from around Rs 2 lakh to nearly Rs 7 lakh. This is not sustainable for most exporters," he said. Industry sources say that despite strong demand, exporters are unable to meet orders due to the lack of reliable transport. "Air cargo charges have gone up from Rs 70 per kg to over Rs 200. Sea freight rates have also surged sharply," said Munshid Ali, a leading exporter and state general secretary of the Kerala Exporters Forum. "We have orders, but no dependable means to ship them. At present, only firms with operations in both Kerala and the Gulf can manage chartered consignments," he added, calling for regulatory intervention to control freight rates during crisis periods. On the other hand, the sharp decline in exports has led to a drop in vegetable prices in the local market during Vishu. Traders say ‘kani vellari' is now priced at Rs 20–25 per kg, compared to over Rs 100 in previous years. "Local production has increased, and vegetables from Karnataka are arriving in large quantities. Most vegetables are selling at lower rates now, except beans," said Mohanan, a wholesale trader. According to official data, vegetable production in the district has nearly tripled over the past decade, touching around 1.5 lakh metric tonnes annually. However, exports, which averaged about 40 tonnes per day through Kozhikode airport last year, have seen a significant decline due to the ongoing crisis. Exporters also noted that jackfruit shipments have been similarly affected this Vishu season.