The price of garlic has doubled, and the typical winter cost of Rs 150 per kg has more than tripled, resulting in the humble garlic bulb becoming a luxury commodity in the kitchens of Ahmedabad. Retail prices have reached as high as Rs 500 per kg.
The cost of onions has also increased dramatically, with each kilogram costing Rs 80 in Maninagar and Rs 100 in places like Satellite. Onions were priced at Rs 75 per kg in app-based marketplaces, and garlic was priced between Rs 460 and Rs 475 per kg.
Traders attribute the price spike to delayed harvests brought on by unfavourable weather. “This year, the cost of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and garlic has increased dramatically, nearly doubling from the previous year. Retailers are selling garlic at significantly higher costs, frequently after combining different produce quality, even though wholesale prices range from Rs 150 to Rs 320 per kg, according to a dealer.
Local dealers see retailers maintain substantial profits despite a minor fall in wholesale pricing. “Authorities must ensure stronger market controls to protect consumers,” said a trader addressing a section of media.
According to Sanjay Patel, secretary of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), this year’s high prices are due to the delay in onions and garlic. We anticipate that this will stabilise by the end of the month. However, the cost of green vegetables will drop during the next ten days.
According to Kishore Kumar Paryani, a merchant at APMC Ahmedabad, who told a section of the media, “unseasonal rains during the Navratri season caused the farmers to postpone sowing until after Diwali.” “Fresh arrivals are expected by early January, which should help stabilise prices.”
Ahmed Patel, a dealer at APMC Jamalpur, told a section of media, “Fresh arrivals have begun, and the prices dropped by Rs 10 last week, but the retailers continue to charge high prices.”
Garlic used to cost between Rs 100 and Rs 250 in the wholesale market, but it is currently between Rs 150 and Rs 350. Onions used to cost Rs 20–45, but this year they cost Rs 45–70.
Customers have had to adjust as a result of the price increase. Richa Patel, a resident of Memnagar, adds, “I have moved to using garlic paste instead of fresh garlic in curries.” “Even typically affordable vegetables like cauliflower sell at Rs 40 for 400 grammes.”
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