Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 27: As the month of Shravana ushers in a season of festivals following Ashadha, the festive spirit across the state is being dampened by a severe price hike. A rain deficit driven by the El Nino effect has reportedly led to a 50 percent drop in crop yields, causing the prices of essential commodities like rice, sugar, jaggery, and vegetables to skyrocket.

Rice, which was priced around Rs 50 to 55 per kg in April and May, is currently being sold at Rs 65 to 70. This surge is largely attributed to a significant drop in paddy cultivation caused by the monsoon deficit. Out of the state's total paddy cultivation target, nearly 40 percent remains unsown, triggering anxiety among farmers and the general public.

While Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have completed about 70 percent of their sowing and planting, major paddy-growing districts such as Raichur, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Bidar, Ballari, and Koppal have reported inadequate sowing. In the coastal region, a 30 kg bag of boiled rice (Kuchalakki), which cost Rs 1,450 to 1,500 in May, has now touched the Rs 1,800 mark. With paddy being a staple in South India, mill owners warn that rice prices could reach an even more precarious state by the end of the year. Neighbouring states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have also witnessed a massive hike in rice prices.

The rain deficit has also taken a toll on sugarcane crops, severely impacting the production and pricing of sugar and jaggery. Sugar, which was sold at Rs 48 to 50 per kg in April and May, crossed Rs 68 by August 20. Similarly, the price of jaggery has jumped from Rs 45 per kg to Rs 72 to 75.

Alongside groceries, vegetable prices have also witnessed a steep rise. In the coastal markets, beans are currently priced at Rs 65 per kg, elephant foot yam at Rs 55, yardlong beans at Rs 70, ivy gourd at Rs 55 to 60, carrots at Rs 70, onions at Rs 55 to 60, garlic at Rs 230 to 250, brinjal at Rs 60, and sweet potatoes at Rs 60.

Citizens, who are already grappling with the increased costs of electricity, petrol, diesel, and other daily needs, are finding it difficult to cope with the rising grocery bills. Traders note that this financial burden is bound to cast a shadow over this year's festive celebrations.

"Compared to 2020-21, the prices of essential commodities have increased by 30 to 40 percent. In 2020, one kg of sugar was Rs 35, and now it has surged to Rs 68. The prices of other groceries have seen a similar upward trend," said Arun Raj, a grocery trader in Mangaluru.