Nagpur: The skyrocketing prices of many kitchen staples seem to be not only burning a hole in the pockets of the consumers but also compelling foodies to skip spicy delicacies. The consumers, who are already bearing the brunt of record price of tomatoes and cumin seeds (jeera) for the past few weeks, are now raising eyebrows over the current price of turmeric.
Commonly used spice in many traditional cuisine, particularly in Indian recipes – turmeric – has witnessed a loss of crop in the current season that has eventually squeezed its supply in the markets and the prices have surged more than double.
Today’s Rate
Monday 30 Sept. 2024
According to the wholesale traders, unseasonal rains in the month of May in the turmeric growing areas of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh had damaged nearly 25 percent of the crop and its effects are now visible in the market. One of the leading wholesale traders said that turmeric prices have been flying high for the past two months. From Rs 70-80 per kg in mid May, wholesale prices of turmeric touched Rs 160-200 per kg mark on August 7. It is mainly due to the short supply of the commodity, he said.
Turmeric is dried in sunlight during peak summer. After the arrival of the crop in February-March, the process of drying turmeric begins. But in the current season, rains spoiled the commodity, he added. It is important to note that turmeric prices had seen a record high of Rs 300 per kg in 2010-11. However, in the following years, the prices fell and maintained the level of Rs 60 to 70 per kg in the wholesale markets.
In addition to this cumin seeds, which were available at a price of Rs 250 per kg in the city’s wholesale market in July 2022, have now touched its all time high of Rs 700 per kg. While dealers and wholesalers said that short supply of cumin seeds is affecting the prices, some of the market observers said hedging of the commodity is also pushing up its price.
On the other hand, tomato prices are also making headlines because of its stupendous hike. Recently, tomato prices have touched a record high of Rs 150-160 per kg in the wholesale market.
