Traders wish you a dear vishu

KOCHI: A trip to the neighbouring market may prove to be an expensive     pursuit this Vishu as rocketing prices of vegetables and groceries force shoppers to watch their purse strings. Though the golden hue of the Laburnum   paints a pretty picture, city markets and buyers tell a darker tale of  numbers.‘Kanni Vellari’, an indispensable part of Vishu celebration, sells at `30 a  kilogram and shoppers have to be content with a single piece. Vijayan K S, a buyer at the Broadway market, said: “I do not want to compromise on the festivities but I am compelled to buy just one piece of each item for the kani.” With ‘kanikonna’ set to hit markets on the eve of Vishu, they are said to    cost anywhere between `10 and `20 for a bunch. In a lighter vein, Tony, a  vegetable seller at the central market, points to the plastic branch of  konna in front of his store and lauds it as an economical and durable option.In the run up to Vishu, fruits favoured for the special kani appear dear.  Apples cost anywhere between `140 and `150 a kg while the price of orange  ranges between `45 and `60 a kg. Though black grapes are not a common sight, the seedless green variety is valued between `60 to `80 a kilo.  Jackfruit, big and small, also makes an appearance. While the ‘njaali poovan’ variety of bananas sells above  `30 a kg  and the ‘nendran’ variety is fixed at `35 a kilo. Curry mangoes, a main ingredient in pulissery and known for its sweetness, leave a bitter taste as its price hits `100 a kg. Abdul Azeez, a vegetable dealer for over 50 years in the Kaloor market, said: “Though Vishu is round the corner, we haven’t increased vegetable  prices since the existing prices are already sky-high. While beans sells at `60 a kg, tomato and carrot are sold at `40 and `30 respectively.” Among other vegetables, ladies’ finger is priced at `40 a kg and rates of  cow pea stand at `36 a kg while the indigenous variety costs `50 a kg.  While retail prices are difficult to contend with, prices of vegetables at the wholesale market are no different. Vegetables are proving to be a costly affair because of the low production in neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Arid conditions, local consumption and exports have eaten into the supply of vegetables and fruits from these states.  However, vendors, quite surprisingly, welcome the effective pricing schemes adopted by the Horticorp and are optimistic that this will help in stabilising prices in the near future.Though vegetables are being sourced from local regions like Thrissur, Muvattupuzha and Kuruppunthura, they have not been able to cover the deficit.