Chennai, Sept 8:
A sharp rise in the prices of essential groceries, including rice, garlic, cooking oil and jaggery, has put household budgets under severe pressure in Tamil Nadu ahead of the festive season.
Several essential commodities have recorded substantial increases in recent weeks, with some items rising by as much as 20 per cent over the past two months.
Garlic has emerged as one of the biggest concerns for consumers. Its price, which was around Rs 150 a kg, has climbed to between Rs 280 and Rs 300, effectively doubling within a short period.
The price of dried red chilli has also increased sharply. A kilogram that sold for around Rs 220 last month is now being sold at Rs 270 to Rs 300 or more depending on quality.
Coriander, another common kitchen ingredient, has risen from around Rs 150 a kg to Rs 220.
Jaggery, widely purchased during the festive season for preparing sweets, has doubled from around Rs 50 to Rs 100 a kg.
Prices of dry fruits have also climbed. Cashew, which was selling for around Rs 700 a kg last month, is now around Rs 950, while almonds have risen from around Rs 250 to Rs 1,200 a kg, according to the report.
Rice prices have also increased, with retail prices rising by around Rs 8 to Rs 15 a kg. The price of a 26-kg rice bag has increased by Rs 300 to Rs 500 depending on the variety. A bag that earlier cost Rs 1,000 is now around Rs 1,500, while higher-grade rice that sold for Rs 1,500 is now around Rs 2,000.
Traders attributed the rise in rice prices primarily to reduced arrivals of paddy from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which supply a significant quantity of rice to Tamil Nadu.
The traders said the elevated rice prices could continue until December and may ease when fresh arrivals begin.
Vegetable prices have also risen, with onions, carrots, beans, tomatoes and potatoes registering increases amid lower arrivals.
The continuing rise has caused concern among middle- and lower-income families, who say their monthly budgets are increasingly difficult to manage.
With the festive season approaching, consumers have urged the government to make essential commodities available through ration shops at affordable prices to provide relief to households.