The price forecast for vegetables has been provided by TNAU. The farm gate price of good quality tomato during harvest (August to September) would be around Rs.16-18 per kg, that of good quality brinjal will rule around Rs.20-23per kg and bhindi would fetch prices of around Rs.15-17 per kg.
Coimbatore: The price forecast for vegetables has been provided by TNAU. The farm gate price of good quality tomato during harvest (August to September) would be around Rs.16-18 per kg, that of good quality brinjal will rule around Rs.20-23per kg and bhindi would fetch prices of around Rs.15-17 per kg.
Tomato, brinjal and bhindi are the major vegetables consumed in Tamil Nadu. In recent days, wholesale prices of these seasonal vegetables have declined sharply by up to 60% across the country, mainly due to higher production, compression of demand and market disruption amidst the COVID-19 crisis. However, the retail prices of most vegetables remained firm due to containment and disruption in the supply chain.
According to the trade sources, vegetable arrivals were relatively high during this year. Though demand remained low due to COVID-19 as hotels, hostels, marriage and other functions were limited to a large extent, panic buying made the vegetable retail prices stand firm.
At present, in Coimbatore wholesale markets, 60% of vegetables (tomato and bhindi) arrive from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. With vegetables being allowed to be transported to Kerala, and around 30% of them go from Coimbatore to Kerala daily.
In Tamil Nadu, peak market arrivals of tomatoes are periodic, i.e,. June-July arrival (Chithirai Pattam sowing crop) and October-November arrival (Aadi Pattam sowing crop). At present, the tomatoes that arrive in Coimbatore are from Semmedu, Kinathukadavu, Thondamuthur, Nachipalayam, Alandurai areas and also from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Aadi Pattam is an important cropping season for brinjal under a rainfed system and the South West Monsoon determines the production of crops sown during this season. The major brinjal producing districts are Salem, Dindigul, Vellore and Krishnagiri. As per trade sources, current arrivals are from around Coimbatore, Theni and the district of Mysore, Karnataka.
Bhindi is mostly cultivated from June to August (Aadi Pattam) and in February (Thai Pattam). It is largely grown in Thalaivasal and Magudanchavadi blocks of Salem and in areas such as Karamadai, Periyanayakkanpalayam and Thondamuthur blocks of Coimbatore, and also in Andipatti block of Theni and Vaiyampatti block of Trichy district. As per trade sources, most of the bhindi arrivals are from Hosur, Pollachi, Oddanchatram and Udumalpet.
The TN-IAM Project-funded Price Forecasting Scheme of the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU University analyzed the prices of the crops for the past 12 years. These are rates that prevailed inOddanchatram, Trichy and Coimbatore Uzhavar Santhai's.
Per the results of the analysis, the farm gate price of good quality tomato during harvest (August to September) would be around Rs.16-18 per kg, that of good quality brinjal will rule around Rs.20-23per kg and bhindi would fetch prices of around Rs.15-17 per kg. Based on the onset of the Southwest Monsoon in the ensuing season, there could be fluctuations in vegetable prices.
Hence, farmers are advised to take up sowing decisions accordingly, informed TNAU.
For further details farmers can contact:
The Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell,
Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore – 641 003.
Phone: 0422-2431405
For technical details please contact:
The Professor and Head,
Department of Vegetable crops,
Horticultural college & Research Institute,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore – 641 003.
Phone -0422 -6611374