COIMBATORE, July 16: A bumper crop and heavy arrivals have triggered a crash in plantain prices, which are 50% lower than the rates prevailing last year. Farmers suffered huge losses, but the lowered rates were not reflected in the retail market. The big profits made last year had prompted many farmers to shift from sugarcane to plantain crops, resulting in overproduction, and consequently, a price crash. Coimbatore, the second largest plantain market in TN after Chennai, receives the fruit from centrles like Cuddalore, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Tuticorin, apart from the Nendran variety of plantains from Kerala. On Monday, Nendran was quoting at Rs 50-Rs 75 a bunch, and Karpooravalli Rs 75-Rs 90. Prices for these varieties were double the present rates last year.
