Kitchen Hit By Inflation! Onions-Garlic, Oil-Sugar, Milk-Vegetables All Costlier

After the onset of Iran War, the prices of commodities have escalated at a higher level. The supply chain disruptions have slowed down the supply of essentials via key route – Strait of Hormuz. In India’s context, over the past few months, the grocery and vegetable bills have spiked significantly affecting the entire kitchen basket.

Between July and August,   increased from Rs 45 to as much as Rs 65 per kg, while rice prices rose from Rs 90 to Rs 105 per kg. Arhar dal increased from Rs 120 to Rs 150 per kg, while mustard oil has reached Rs 200 per kg. Tea prices have also risen from Rs 350 to Rs 450 per kg.

Onions and garlic:

The two key staples of   are delivering the biggest shock. Onions are selling at nearly twice their normal prices while garlic prices have also doubled in several cities.

Data maintained by the ministry shows the all-India average retail price of onion rose 59 per cent year-on-year to Rs 43.53/kg on August 24, from Rs 27.37/kg a year ago. The average wholesale price was up 68 per cent at Rs 35.58/kg, against Rs 21.23/kg in the year-ago period.

Green vegetables:

Tomatoes, cauliflower, okra, bottle gourd and beans, the prices of almost every vegetable are moving beyond the reach of the common consumer.

The impact of the monsoon and higher transportation costs has continued to push vegetable prices higher.

Cooking oil and sugar:

The key concern that has come up is with the sugar prices, one of the basic necessities of the Indian kitchen.

Sugar prices rose nearly 30% in a month, from Rs 48.73 per kg on July 24 to Rs 63.05 per kg on August 24, according to government price data.

Further, prices of cooking oils such as soybean, mustard and sunflower oil have also increased by around 10% to 15%.

Milk and dairy products:

Milk prices have been increased several times over the past year to one-and-a-half years. As milk becomes more expensive, basic dairy products such as curd, paneer, butter and buttermilk have also become costlier.