Brinjal will fetch remunerative price during harvest (Aug 2013)

Brinjal or Egg plant (Solanum melongena) is a native of India and is being cultivated since a long
time. It is widely grown in the warmer regions of both hemispheres. The global area under cultivation of
this crop during 2011-12 was 2.04 million ha. with a production of 43.17 million tonnes. China is the
largest producer followed by India. China has 42.32 per cent share of world production, while Indias
share stands at 39.34 per cent.
Brinjal is one of the most common commercially grown vegetables throughout India and the
total area under cultivation in 2011-2012 was over 6 lakh ha. and the production during the same period
was 11.50 million tonnes.
The major varieties grown are viz., the round or egg-shaped, the long and the dwarf. These
three varieties are grown all over the country in eight agro-climatic zones in India. The major growing
belts in India are West Bengal (23.32 percent), Orissa (17.3 percent), Andhra Pradesh (12.07 percent),
Bihar (10.06 percent) and Gujarat (10.06 percent).
India exports both fresh and chilled brinjal to more than 30 countries around the world. The
major overseas markets for Indian brinjal are Canada followed by Netherlands, Bahrain, the UK, the US,
France, Germany, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia.
Brinjal fruit grown in India may be white, yellow, brown, green, black, pink, purple and striped in
colour and may be round, long-elongated, pear-shaped and oblong in shape depending upon the
cultivars. The long, green varieties are preferred in Bihar, the round in Karnataka and the green in
Orissa. In the North, pinkish purple, violet or black colour varieties are in demand. There is less demand
for yellow, brown and white coloured brinjal fruits. The much prized Matti Gulla variety of brinjal
grown in coastal Karnataka has the highest demand both in the domestic and overseas markets.
However, production of this variety is limited since its cultivation is confined only to a few villages of
Udupi district.
In Tamil Nadu the major growing area is concentrated in Salem (11.89 percent), Dindigul (9.39
percent), Vellore (7.27 percent), and Krishnagiri (7.17 percent) districts, which accounted for 35.73
percent of total brinjal cultivable area in 2010-11. In Tamil Nadu brinjal is cultivated during December-
January (Thai pattam) and Apr-May (Chithirai pattam). But in Dindigul district brinjal is growing round
the year in one place or the other and thereby market inflow of this vegetable is ensured with
appropriate quantity. The source point of purchase is Dindigul, Kovilpatti, Palani, Pappampatti,
Vannampatti, Ayakudi, Balasamudhram and Devathoor. Also long shaped and egg shaped green brinjal
arrives from other States viz., Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka (Mysore) to meet our local demand and
supply to Kerala markets.
In Dindigul district, a local variety called Kottapatti kathirikai is the popular variety in
Oddanchatram market, because of its special tastes comparable with mutton that attracts Tamil Nadu
and Kerala buyers.
Severe drought experienced in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka escalated the market price of brinjal of Rs 38/kg during 2012-13. Considering the above, to
answer the farmers regarding the expected price during harvest, back office of Agro Marketing
Intelligence and Business Promotion Centre (AMI &BPC) in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University have
analyzed the trend pattern in prices of brinjal that prevailed in Ottanchatram and Coimbatore markets
during the past 11 years.
The price of brinjal in Ottanchatram market during July 2013 was around Rs 26-28/Kg. In
Adipattam, the sowing has begun and arrivals will be maximum during October 2013. Due to maximum
arrivals in October 2013, farmers could get Rs 15-17/kg in Ottanchatram market and Rs.21-24 /Kg in
Coimbatore market.