Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20 (UDN): The impact of recent floods across Odisha is now being felt in household kitchens, with prices of vegetables and essential grocery items rising sharply as supply disruptions tighten availability across markets.
Consumers are facing higher bills for everyday essentials, with ginger touching Rs 200 per kg and tomatoes selling at around Rs 80 per kg. Traders attribute the surge to flood-related disruptions in transportation and supply chains, coupled with shortages from key producing regions.
Vegetable Prices See Steep Rise
Several commonly used vegetables have witnessed significant price increases over the past few days.
Onion: Rs 50/kg (up from around Rs 40)
Tomato: Rs 80/kg
Cabbage: Rs 30/kg
Carrot: Rs 50/kg
Pointed gourd (Potala): Rs 50/kg
Bitter gourd: Rs 50-60/kg
Brinjal: Rs 50-60/kg
Ridge gourd: Rs 80/kg
Spine gourd: Rs 200/kg
Ginger: Rs 200/kg
Garlic: Rs 240/kg
Papaya prices have increased from Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg, while potatoes have edged up from Rs 20 to Rs 22 per kg. Beans imported from outside Odisha are selling for around Rs 160 per kg, whereas Koraput-grown beans are priced between Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kg.
Sugar and Edible Oils Become Costlier
The price rise has extended beyond vegetables. Sugar has increased from around Rs 55 to Rs 65 per kg over the past two weeks. Traders say the increase has been influenced by supply constraints as well as the diversion of sugarcane for ethanol production.
Cooking oils have also become more expensive, with refined edible oil retailing at around Rs 180 per litre and mustard oil priced between Rs 200 and Rs 220 per litre. According to traders, both sugar and edible oil prices have risen by about Rs 10 within a week.
Cumin has also become costlier, with its retail price climbing by nearly Rs 20 to around Rs 290 per kg.
Supply Disruptions Add to Inflation
Market sources said heavy rainfall in Maharashtra’s Nashik, a major onion-producing region, has disrupted supplies, contributing to higher prices in Odisha. Traders have cautioned that onion prices could rise further if supply conditions do not improve.
With flood-related disruptions continuing in parts of the state, the rising cost of essential food items is adding to the financial strain on households already grappling with higher everyday expenses.