Thiruvananthapuram : Tomato, onion, and potato, along with many other tongue and health-friendly vegetables, are usually considered the yardstick for assessing price hikes in other essential commodities. The retail prices of these items have increased by 15% to 58% in the last month. The wholesale prices of these three items have risen by 65.70% (tomato), 35.36% (onion), and 17.57% (potato) in the past 30 days. However, the Union government claims that this phenomenon is temporary and that prices will be controlled, except for potatoes.
The all-India average retail price of tomatoes was ₹55.04 per kg on Wednesday. On the same date last month, it was ₹34.73/kg, marking a 58.48% increase, according to the Price Monitoring Division of the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry. Last year, on July 3, the price was ₹67.57/kg. By the end of July and in the first weeks of August 2023, the price had reached ₹250 per kg in various places.
Vegetable prices, along with other regularly consumed items, continue to soar in Kerala, impacting ordinary families’ budgets. In Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, the retail price of tomatoes has reached ₹100 per kilo. In other districts, tomatoes are priced between ₹60-75/kg. Vendors struggle to satisfy customers as vegetable prices shoot up daily. With these increases, drumsticks cost ₹200 per kilo in the wholesale market. Beans have also become expensive, with prices reaching ₹200/kg in Thiruvananthapuram and ₹120/kg in Kochi, and ₹100/kg in Kozhikode. Onions have surpassed ₹50/kg in Thiruvananthapuram, while ginger and garlic are priced at ₹180/kg and ₹300/kg, respectively, in the state capital.
Bad weather is assumed to be the primary reason for the sharp decline in vegetable cultivation. According to reports, prices of all items, including groceries and fish, are rising alongside vegetables. Some vendors in Kozhikode suggested that prices might decrease if more vegetable stocks reach the state.
As the prices of essential items such as vegetables, fish, meat, and eggs have doubled, people are struggling to cope with the rising costs.
The issue of price rise was raised in the Kerala Assembly last week. The opposition staged a walkout in protest against the alleged failure of the state government to address the price hike. “Though the LDF government had promised to provide chicken at ₹85 per kilo, it remains only a promise. In fact, people cannot even find chicken legs at this price,” said Congress legislator Roji M. John, who moved an adjournment motion in the Assembly. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil attributed the current price rise to temporary factors such as climate change and natural calamities. Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan criticized the Food and Civil Supplies Department’s irresponsible attitude. The opposition party in Kerala criticized the LDF government, claiming that while Supplyco is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the government has become its destroyer. Inflation has surged between 50% and 200%. “It is regrettable that the Food and Civil Supplies Minister responded regarding rice distribution from ration shops. We gathered comparative prices of vegetables and essential goods from various markets, including Horticorp outlets,” said Satheesan.
