Onion prices close 100 per kg! Other vegetables become costly as well

Households across Kolkata are feeling the squeeze as vegetable prices continue to soar, with staple items like potatoes and onions now stretching kitchen budgets to their limits. Despite a slight dip in some vegetable prices recently, essential items remain prohibitively expensive, leaving common citizens struggling to afford everyday groceries.

Sunday’s market data revealed that nearly every vegetable sold at or above ₹100 per kg. Onions are nearing ₹100 per kg, while green chilies have breached the century mark at ₹140-₹150 per kg. Ginger, a staple in Indian cuisine, has doubled, reaching an alarming ₹200-₹300 per kg, and garlic has skyrocketed to a staggering ₹400 per kg. Sellers claim that the seasonal winter vegetables have yet to appear in the quantities expected, keeping prices elevated even during the season when costs traditionally ease.

Many citizens have shared the difficulties they face due to these unprecedented prices. According to buyers, “Tears come to our eyes with every purchase,” and they describe vegetable shopping as an overwhelming financial strain. Sellers attribute these prices to poor weather, which has disrupted supply chains and increased procurement costs.

Frequent visits by administration officials to monitor and control prices offer only temporary relief, residents say. Vendors seem to provide different prices in front of officials but revert to high rates once the monitoring ends. The recent festival season, including Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Bhaiphonta, and Chhath Puja, saw no reduction in prices, with Sunday’s market rates underscoring the continued hardship faced by households.