Bengaluru, 4 April

Bengaluru's kitchens are feeling the heat again as vegetable prices witness a significant hike. Onions, a staple in most dishes, have reached Rs 27 per kg—up from Rs 23 just a month ago. This price surge isn't limited to onions; tomatoes, beetroot, capsicum, cabbage have also seen a sharp rise, leaving households struggling to manage their budgets.

The reason behind this price hike is the intense heat and deficit rain, which have severely impacted vegetable production districts like Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, and Chitradurga.

This disruption in supply has led to a domino effect, pushing prices upwards. Crops like tomatoes, beans, and chillies are particularly susceptible to such conditions which lead to a decline in their availability and a subsequent rise in prices.

HOPCOMS, the state-run marketing federation, is also grappling with the situation.

Prakash Mirji, managing director of HOPCOMS told Salar News “This is mainly due to the intense heatwave coupled with the delay in monsoon. The yield of vegetables cultivated around Bengaluru is severely affected. Vegetable prices have gone up by 30 to 40% compared to the usual pre-summer rates. While we're trying to ensure some level of price stability through our network of stores, the overall shortage due to the weather patterns is a significant challenge. The monsoon arrival will play a crucial role in stabilizing prices.”

The price rise has forced home-makers to adapt. "It's becoming difficult to plan meals. We're having to cut back on certain vegetables or find alternatives," Veena Parmeshwari, a resident managing a family of four.