Kochi: With vegetable prices shooting up by 20% to 60% in just a month, households across Kerala are feeling the heat. Following the spike in coconut oil prices, everyday essentials like ginger and green chilies have now crossed ₹100 per kg, throwing kitchen budgets into disarray just as the festive season approaches.
The primary reason behind this steep rise is a sharp decline in production, attributed to adverse weather conditions. In Ernakulam, ginger prices jumped from ₹55 to ₹80–₹100 per kg since July 1st. Garlic is now selling between ₹120 and ₹140 per kg, with higher prices for premium quality.
Carrots have climbed to ₹80 per kg, while tomatoes have surged from ₹40 to ₹60 per kg, with even steeper rates in rural markets. There’s a sliver of relief: the price of drumsticks (moringa) has halved to ₹40 per kg, and onions and potatoes remain stable at ₹30 and ₹45 per kg respectively.
Kerala continues to rely heavily on Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka for vegetable supplies. With Onam and the wedding season fast approaching, the early surge in prices has sparked concern. The delay in locally harvested produce may push prices even higher in the coming weeks.
