THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Horticorp has taken steps to curb price hikes for vegetables and fruits. Procuring vegetables from farmer groups in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and supplying them through Farmer Producers Organizations is under discussion. The aim is to buy and deliver vegetables at low prices without middlemen. The move is to deliver tomatoes in the first phase. However, it will take days to complete the process and deliver the goods. Horticorp officials explain that the price increase is more in southern Kerala and not so much in the northern region. Horticorp MD J Sajeev said that steps will be taken to resolve this issue in the next few days.

Different markets charge different prices. It varies from Rs.10 to Rs.20 per kg. Tomatoes are charged at Rs 120 in Thiruvananthapuram and only Rs 72 in Kozhikode.

Yesterday, under the leadership of Vyapari Vyavasayi Congress, tomatoes were bought from Karnataka at a low price and sold in the Chala market. From Chikkamangaluru, Mysore and Chintamani export centers, tomatoes were delivered at a discount of Rs 1,000 per box. Tomatoes costing Rs 2600 per box were delivered for Rs 1,600.
The demand is that Horticorp should be ready to buy and sell vegetables from regions where the price of vegetables is low.