Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Mar 16: Due to the increase in the prices of essential commodities, the rates of eatables in hotels have become dearer.
Due to the shortage of rainfall, the price of rice has become too high. Sona Masoori rice is being sold at Rs 65 to Rs 70. The price last year was just Rs 40 per kg.
The boiled rice (kucchalakki), which is used in the coastal region by most of the people, has reached Rs 60 per kilo. Earlier the rate was around Rs 45. Accordingly, the rate of meals in medium and small hotels is now Rs 80. It was Rs 50 to Rs 60 earlier.
The hoteliers say that the price of cooking gas, oil, spices in addition to rice has also increased steeply. So they have no other option but to raise the price of food items including meals.
The yield of Sona Masoori in the district of Udupi is very low due to the rain. So the district depends on neighbouring districts of Shivamogga, Koppal and Davanagere.
Best quality Basmati rice now costs around Rs 100. The cheap Kollam rice has also touched Rs 80 per kilo.
The prices of vegetables have also skyrocketed. Beans have touched Rs 90 per kilo from the past week's Rs 60.
Currently, the various prices of vegetables are Onion Rs 35 per kilo, potato Rs 40, carrot Rs 60, cucumber Rs 35, okra Rs 60, green chillies Rs 70, beetroot Rs 45, brinjal Rs 40, capsicum Rs 70, garlic Rs 200, beetroot Rs 50, bottle gourd Rs 30, areca nut Rs 30, brinjal Rs 30, and tuber Rs 40.
Fruit prices have also increased. Black grapes are sold at Rs 120 while green ones are priced at Rs 80. Pomegranate is sold at Rs 180 to Rs 220. Papaya is Rs 40, sapota is Rs 60, guava Rs 90, banana Rs 70, apple Rs 280, pineapple Rs 50, orange Rs 60 and watermelon Rs 25 per kilo.
Broiler chicken has become slightly cheaper at Rs 260 per kilo without skin and Rs 240 per kilo with skin. Eggs are priced at Rs eight per piece. Meat of goat and sheep ranges from Rs 700 to Rs 850 per kilo. Prices of white pomfret fish have reached Rs 1500 per kilo, while kingfish is sold at Rs 800. Mackerel fish is sold at Rs 300 and cocker at Rs 400 per kilo.