Amidst the attention-grabbing surge in tomato prices due to supply shortages, the cost of other kitchen essentials has also witnessed a significant spike, except for potatoes, as reported by TOI.
The food and consumer affairs ministry informed Parliament about the price increases in various food items over the past year. Tur dal registered the highest rise of 28%, followed by rice (10.5%), urad dal, and atta (8% each). The average retail price of rice, for instance, has surged from Rs. 37 per kg to Rs. 41 per kg.
The ministry attributed the rise in tur dal prices to a reduction in domestic production. The third advance estimate of the agriculture ministry for the 2022–23 crop year projected tur dal production at 34.3 lakh tonnes, compared to 42.2 lakh tonnes in the previous year.
According to the price monitoring cell of the consumer affairs ministry, the average retail price of tur dal reached Rs. 136 per kg on Thursday, compared to Rs 106.5 per kg the previous year. Similarly, the price of urad dal increased to Rs. 114 per kg from Rs. 106.5 per kg.
While potato prices are about 12% lower than last year, onion prices are approximately 5% higher, as per the ministry’s data.
Regarding the surge in tomato prices, the ministry cited several factors, including crop seasonality, white fly disease in Kolar, instant monsoon rains impacting tomato crops in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and logistics disruptions in some areas due to heavy rains.
The government data shows that the average price of tomatoes on Thursday was Rs. 140 per kg, a substantial increase from Rs. 34 per kg last year. In different regions, tomato prices reached as high as Rs. 257 per kg in Bulandshahar (Uttar Pradesh), Rs. 213 per kg in Delhi, and Rs. 157 per kg in Mumbai.
The rising prices of kitchen essentials have become a concerning issue for consumers as they grapple with higher food costs.