Kochi: The prices of vegetables, which have been straining household budgets for the past few months, are continuing to trend downwards.

With the end of the Onam season, the rates of vegetables have decreased by a range of 5-20 rupees per kilogram.

Before Onam, the price of tomatoes was between Rs 46-51 per kilogram which has now come down to Rs 30-35, a significant reduction of Rs 16. The price of carrots which was at Rs 60-70 has now become Rs 40-50 per kilo. 

Similarly, the price of drumstick has gone from Rs 40 to Rs 27 while beans saw a decrease from Rs 70 to Rs 40 now. Shallots priced at Rs 70-75 now stands at Rs 60-65. While onions are now sold at a price of Rs 30-35 and green chillies at Rs 60 per kilo (All prices based on the market rates in Kochi).

A large portion of the vegetable supply in Kerala comes from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Traders hope that the demand for vegetables will increase with the ongoing wedding season. 

While the price of most vegetables went down, garlic seems to be climbing the cliff with the current price per kilo being Rs 180-200. Traders say that the price went up by Rs 20 within two weeks. They estimate that the price will continue to rise if the present situation persists. Meanwhile, the price of ginger continues to remain mostly steady with minor fluctuations to the current market rate of Rs 250-260 per kilo.