Chennai, Jun 27 (IANS): Vegetable prices in Tamil Nadu are on an increase following reduced arrival of produce in several markets of the state.

In the wholesale market of Chennai, the rate of tomatoes has doubled to Rs 80 from Rs 40, which was the price in the last week.

In the retail market, tomatoes are sold at Rs 100 per kilogram and traders in the Koyambedu market told IANS that the high price of tomato is due to lesser arrival of the vegetable.

The price of onion in the wholesale market has increased from Rs 10 per kg during last fortnight to Rs 25 per kg on Tuesday. Similarly the price of shallots has increased from Rs 40 kg last week to Rs 90 per kg now.

The price of ginger, which was Rs 60 per kg during last week, has increased to Rs 200 per kg on Tuesday. The price of beans has increased to Rs 80 per kg from Rs 30 per kg during last month and of brinjal and beetroot have touched to Rs 50 per kg from Rs 30 per kg in Koyambedu market two weeks before.

Talking to IANS, Mohammed Shafi, a vegetable wholesale dealer in Koyambedu market, said: “The price of vegetables is shooting up and for some, it has doubled in a week, for others, it has doubled in a fortnight and in some cases, the rate has doubled in a month.”

He said that reduced production is the main reason for the increase in prices and the shortfall in crops is due to intense heat and lack of water.

The traders also said that while the price of vegetables have been showing a gradual increase in the past one month, it will again increase as marriages and festivals are lined up in the coming few days just before the Tamil Aadi month which is considered inauspicious and hence all the major functions are held before the commencement of the Aadi month.

Aadiwill begin on July 17 and will continue till August 17 and in Tamil Nadu and Kerala this month is considered inauspicious and major functions are not held.

In Coimbatore market, tomatoes are sold at Rs 80 per kg in wholesale on Tuesday and retail market price was Rs 95 per kg. A week before, the rates were Rs 40 and Rs 50 per kg respectively.