As the festive season of Onam approaches, Keralites are bracing for a financial strain due to soaring prices of essential commodities. The cost of rice,sugar, and coconut oil has surged significantly in recent weeks,raising concerns among consumers and traders alike .
In Kochi's wholesale market,the price of Matta rice,a staple in Kerala,has reached ₹60 per kilogram. Other varieties, such as Surekha and Jaya, are priced at ₹43 and ₹47 per kilogram, respectively. Over the past three weeks,prices for various rice types have increased between ₹4 and ₹10, compounding the financial burden on households.
Similarly, sugar prices have risen sharply,climbing to ₹54 per kilogram from ₹48 just three weeks ago. Traders attribute this spike to several factors,including alleged hoarding by mill owners in Andhra Pradesh, who are preparing for potential drop in crop yields next year. Sanoob Abdulkhader,a prominent wholesaler in Kochi, noted that the diversion of sugarcane for ethanol production has also contributed to rising costs.
The price of coconut oil, essential for traditional Onam dishes like banana chips, has remained above ₹300 per kilogram. Although this is lower than last season's peak of over ₹500, Al-Zamil M.K.,an oil wholesaler, expressed concern that prices should have decreased further given increased crop supply. He indicated that the current prices seem artificially inflated,despite adequate availability of copra due to the ongoing harvest season.
Thalath Mahmood,president of the Cochin Oil Merchants Association, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that price stability observed recently may be misleading. He pointed out that procurement agencies have reportedly reduced purchases following the price surge, and traders in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta have also pulled back due to damage from recent rains. Mahmood anticipates that prices may stabilize soon.
Vegetable prices are also on the rise,with raw bananas, a key ingredient for chips, selling for ₹75 to ₹80 per kilogram across the state . Traders fear that these prices may escalate further in the coming week, adding to the financial strain on consumers.
In response to the escalating costs,the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) has called on the government to intervene immediately. Raju Apsara, president of KVVES,warned that the price hikes could lead to reduced consumption, significantly impacting traders' incomes. He expressed concern over a possible collusion between mill owners and middlemen in Andhra Pradesh,which he believes is driving up rice prices.
Apsara emphasized the urgency of government action, stating, “Onam would be difficult for both people and traders if government did not intervene immediately.”
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob responded to these concerns,assuring that the government is taking measures to address the price increases. He mentioned that the government is purchasing rice from the Food Corporation of India at ₹23.20 per kilogram and selling it at ₹26 to provide additional rations to consumers across various categories. This month, government has procured 1,65,932 tonnes of rice and 24,506 tonnes of wheat for distribution.
As Onam draws near, the rising costs of essential commodities pose a significant challenge for Keralites,who are already feeling the pinch . With traders and consumers alike calling for government intervention, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether prices can stabilize in time for the festivities .
