LPG commercial cylinder shortage hits vegetable sale

Kochi: The closure of many hotels and restaurants in Kochi, in the wake of LPG commercial cylinder shortage, has invariably affected the sales of vegetables as well. With the demand for vegetables slumped, the traders now decided that they would transport vegetables from Tamil Nadu to Ernakulam only based on market demand.Traders witnessed around a 40% decline in the demand for vegetables from eateries in the past two days. Currently, there is demand for retail sales since the LPG crisis has not affected domestic consumption so far. "The situation has forced us to sell vegetables at half price. In view of this, we will order vegetables based on the market demand only," said N H Shameer, Ernakulam Market Stall Owners Association general secretary. C J George, a trader in Ernakulam market, said the demand was now for vegetables which are used in dishes like biriyani, which can be cooked in bulk for serving customers the whole day. Traders fear the current crisis would have a ripple effect on diesel availability, which would further exacerbate the crisis.