Vegetable prices ease at the weekly shandy as fresh arrivals pour in

Vegetable prices dropped noticeably at Rasipuram's weekly shandy this week as fresh arrivals from nearby villages increased after the recent rains. Traders said the shandy ground saw one of its busiest mornings in recent months. Tomatoes sold at ₹18 to ₹22 a kilo, down from ₹35 two weeks ago. Small onions were ₹40 to ₹45 a kilo, brinjal ₹30 and drumsticks ₹60 a kilo. Green chillies and beans held steady at ₹50 and ₹70 a kilo respectively. Banana bunches from the Mohanur and Paramathi side arrived in large numbers, with poovan bananas selling at ₹35 to ₹40 a dozen. Coconut prices, however, remained firm at ₹30 to ₹35 each. Traders expect prices to stay at this level for the next two to three weeks unless heavy rain disrupts harvesting. Shoppers are advised to come early, as the best produce sells out by 9 am.