Your favourite onion bhajjis to get costlier

Bengaluru

Dry spells have affected onion production, resulting in limited supply

Onion prices have surged in Bengaluru amid a rain fall deficit in Karnataka, with retail prices rising from around Rs 15 - 20 per kg to Rs 40 - 50 per kg in several city markets. With festivals around the corner, vendors expect prices to rise further, adding to the pinch on consumers’ pockets. A wholesale vendor, speaking to News Trail while delivering onions to a popular eatery in Richmond Town, said the price of half a quintal (50 kg) had increased significantly. “It is Rs 2,750 for 50 kg now; before it was Rs 1,750”, he said. According to him, prolonged dry spells have affected onion production, resulting in limited supply and pushing up wholesale prices.

Retail vendors have also begun passing on the increased costs to consumers. Shafiq, a vegetable vendor whose stall oper\ates in partnership with a supermarket, said he was currently selling onions at Rs 75 per kg, compared to Rs 55 earlier. “We buy produce from K R Market I feel it will rise further; if it while delivering onions to a popular eatery in Richmond Town, said the price of half a quintal (50 kg) had increased significantly. “It is Rs 2,750 for 50 kg now; before it was Rs 1,750”, he said. According to him, prolonged dry spells have affected onion production, resulting in limited supply and pushing up wholesale prices.

Retail vendors have also begun passing on the in creased costs to consumers. Shafiq, a vegetable vendor whose stall operates in partnership with a supermarket, said he was currently selling onions at Rs 75 per kg, compared to Rs 55 earlier. “We buy produce from K R Market. rises in the market, so will it rise here”, he said. Another small vegetable shop vendor, Haidar, said he had increased his selling price from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg. The current fear is that if the prices climb higher, it could significantly affect households, as well as ho tels and restaurants across Bengaluru. Consumers, particularly those from lower-income households, are likely to feel the impact most.

“It is very sad that we people must pay such high prices for basic needs like vegetables, especially onions and tomatoes, during these kinds of price hikes”, said Chitra, a resident. She said the increase would disproportionately affect daily-wage workers and lower-income families that have to carefully manage every rupee. She questioned why such sharp price increases were being allowed to reach consumers and said the government should consider measures to subsidise essential food items and prevent basic necessities from burning a hole in citizens’ pockets.