Wed Oct 02 07:50:29 UTC 2024: ## Festive Season Brings Price Surge in Food Items: Consumers Feel the Pinch
**Lucknow:** With the festive season approaching, the market is witnessing a sharp rise in prices of essential food items. Over the past two months, prices of groceries have increased by 30-40%, impacting kitchen budgets across the city.
From dry fruits to pulses, prices have skyrocketed. Traders attribute the surge to reduced production, citing difficulties in obtaining cashews this year and a decline in lotus seeds (makhana) production. The latter has seen a price increase of ₹600-700 in just two months.
Spices are also mirroring the trend of dry fruit price hikes. Increased demand coupled with decreased supply from Kerala and other states is pushing up prices of big cardamom, small cardamom, whole pepper, cloves, and black pepper.
While demand-supply dynamics are affecting prices, some relief is seen in the form of reduced cumin seed prices, which have dropped from ₹800 per kg to ₹400 per kg in the last two months.
The pulse market presents a mixed picture. While arhar dal has become cheaper, dropping from ₹200 per kg to ₹160 per kg, chana dal prices have risen by almost 50%, including desi chana, kabuli chana, and other varieties. The price of chana dal has increased from ₹80 per kg to ₹120 per kg in the past two months.
Consumers are expressing their concerns over the rising prices, highlighting the lack of commensurate increase in their income. They are demanding the government’s intervention to address the escalating cost of living.
The festive season is expected to further fuel demand, potentially leading to a steeper rise in prices in the coming month.
First Piper 