Essential goods get cheaper ahead of Onam; big relief for consumers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The price of coconut oil, which had shot up to Rs 500, has now fallen to around Rs 380 per kg in the wholesale market. Most rice varieties are now priced below Rs 50. Prices of pulses and vegetables are also coming down, giving relief to consumers. This Onam, household budgets may not face heavy strain, as prices of most essentials are lower compared to last year’s festive season.

The main reasons are the government’s Onam markets offering goods at lower rates and the arrival of additional rice stocks from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Rice prices in wholesale markets have been dropping for the past two months. The price of chilies, which had gone up to Rs 350 per kg, is now down to Rs 120. Onion is Rs 28 per kg. Pulses, which cost Rs 160 earlier, have fallen to Rs 95. While vegetable prices are generally lower, tomatoes, okra, and snake gourd show a slight rise. However, with Horticorp’s Onam markets opening, these prices are also expected to come down.

Government intervention shows results

1. Supplyco has restarted the “Happy Hours” discount scheme, giving an extra 10% discount between 2 PM and 4 PM every day on non-subsidised items.

2. From the 25th, Supplyco Onam markets will offer up to 50% discounts on branded products without subsidies. In addition to 13 subsidised essential items, 20 kg of rice will be supplied at Rs 25 per kg.

Coconut oil prices may fall further

A high-level Supplyco meeting in Kochi today will discuss reducing the price of subsidised coconut oil. Currently, it is sold at Rs 349 per litre, and plans are being considered to bring it below Rs 300, since the market rate has dropped to around Rs 380–Rs 400.

Price comparison (wholesale, Chalai market)

Rice

Matta: 46–51 (last year 49–56)

Jaya: 39–41.60 (last year 45–51)

Surekha: 43–47 (last year 46–54)

Pachari: 31–39 (last year 35–40)

Doppi: 34–46 (last year 38–48)

Ponni: 42–65 (last year 55–70)

Pulses & others

Green gram: 95–118 (last year 160)

Black gram: 99–109 (last year 145–150)

Lentils: 82–95 (last year 110–120)

Small onion: 53 (last year 56)

Potato: 32 (last year 42)

Vegetables

Green chilli: 47 (last year 54)

Raw mango: 30 (last year 37)

Pumpkin: 17 (last year 23)

Lemon: 54 (last year 105)

Bitter gourd: 36 (last year 40)

Beans: 42 (last year 44)

Carrot: 42 (last year 50)

Cucumber: 27 (last year 30)

Garlic: 104 (last year 169)

Ginger: 74 (last year 105)

“The government will further strengthen market interventions. Plans are being made to reduce prices even more through Supplyco.”

-Food Minister G.R. Anil