Soaring Onion and Garlic Prices in Bhubaneswar: Consumers Struggle Amid Kartik Festivities | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Soaring prices of onion and garlic in the last few days have irked customers during the ongoing holy month of Kartik when demand is comparatively less compared to other months. The price of onion increased from Rs 60 last week to Rs 75-80 per kg and garlic is selling at Rs 400 per kg in retail markets in the state. Vendors said the short supply of the vegetables from other states led to the rise in prices.
“Though we use less onion and garlic in Kartik month, the price pinch really affects consumers. In this month, usually, the price of onion remains low and green vegetables soar due to the increased demand for vegetarian food,” said Malati Sahoo, a homemaker.
Vendors said that due to the price rise, the sales of onion and garlic have further gone down. “As such, onion sales go down in Kartik, but the price rise has affected the sales further. The price hike affected the eating habits of consumers and many completely shunned buying onions in the holy month,” said Kartik Swain, a vendor in Unit-1 market.
The price rise has particularly affected daily wage earners and lower middle class families who consider onions an essential ingredient in their day-to-day cooking. Many households have cut down their onion consumption or switched to alternatives.
Local restaurants and food vendors are also feeling the pinch as they try to balance their costs without increasing food prices.
Local traders attribute the price surge to reduced supply from Maharashtra and Karnataka, the major onion-producing states. “As the fresh harvest has not hit the market yet, the prices of onion and garlic have increased. Small vendors are struggling to maintain their business as customers are buying less due to high prices,” said Debendra Sahu, secretary of Chhatra Bazaar wholesale market in Cuttack.
Apart from onion and garlic, the prices of green vegetables are also on the higher side this month, putting an extra burden on the family budget. “In Kartik, people in Odisha shun non-vegetarian foods and consume vegetarian food. With most green vegetables selling above Rs 80 per kg, people are forced to make changes in their food habits,” said Ranjan Lenka, a govt employee.
“Though we use less onion and garlic in Kartik month, the price pinch really affects consumers. In this month, usually, the price of onion remains low and green vegetables soar due to the increased demand for vegetarian food,” said Malati Sahoo, a homemaker.
Vendors said that due to the price rise, the sales of onion and garlic have further gone down. “As such, onion sales go down in Kartik, but the price rise has affected the sales further. The price hike affected the eating habits of consumers and many completely shunned buying onions in the holy month,” said Kartik Swain, a vendor in Unit-1 market.
The price rise has particularly affected daily wage earners and lower middle class families who consider onions an essential ingredient in their day-to-day cooking. Many households have cut down their onion consumption or switched to alternatives.
Local restaurants and food vendors are also feeling the pinch as they try to balance their costs without increasing food prices.
Local traders attribute the price surge to reduced supply from Maharashtra and Karnataka, the major onion-producing states. “As the fresh harvest has not hit the market yet, the prices of onion and garlic have increased. Small vendors are struggling to maintain their business as customers are buying less due to high prices,” said Debendra Sahu, secretary of Chhatra Bazaar wholesale market in Cuttack.
Apart from onion and garlic, the prices of green vegetables are also on the higher side this month, putting an extra burden on the family budget. “In Kartik, people in Odisha shun non-vegetarian foods and consume vegetarian food. With most green vegetables selling above Rs 80 per kg, people are forced to make changes in their food habits,” said Ranjan Lenka, a govt employee.
