CHENNAI: With the monsoon rains lashing the city, prices of several vegetables have risen sharply at the Koyambedu Wholesale Market in the past 10 days, with key staples cabbage, tomato and small onion registering the highest jump.

Cabbage has seen the steepest hike, climbing from Rs 8/kg on October 18 to Rs 25/kg on October 28, followed by okra from Rs 15 to Rs 50. Tomato prices have doubled during the same period, rising from Rs 20/kg to Rs 40/kg. Price of small onions has also moved up from Rs 40/kg to Rs 50/kg.

“Due to continuous rain, the prices are bound to increase. Deepavali leave and shortage of labourers are also the reason. The prices may go down after 3-4 days,” said SS Muthukumar, president, Koyambedu Wholesale Market Association.

A kilo of lemon is now Rs 70, up from Rs 4

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