Households across Odisha are grappling with a steep rise in the cost of daily essentials, as sugar, flour, pulses, edible oils and other grocery items have all turned significantly costlier over the past month. The spike comes even as vegetable prices remain elevated, adding further strain to family budgets already stretched thin.
Sugar has emerged as the biggest concern for consumers, with retail prices jumping by more than Rs 10 per kg within just a month. A kilogram of sugar that sold for around Rs 40 to Rs 45 in May is now fetching upwards of Rs 55 in the market. Wholesale rates tell the same story, with prices climbing from roughly Rs 4,100 per quintal in May to nearly Rs 5,000 per quintal at present.
Edible oils have followed a similar trajectory. Refined oil now costs around Rs 170 per litre, while mustard oil has crossed Rs 190 per litre, with traders warning that it could breach the Rs 200 mark if the current trend persists. Rice has also become dearer by nearly Rs 15 per kg, while wholesale prices of black gram have risen by about Rs 1,000 per quintal. Flour, semolina and other grain-based products have gone up by roughly Rs 5 per kg, with several other grocery items also seeing a gradual increase.
Traders and market experts point to a combination of factors behind the price surge. Odisha relies heavily on other states for its sugar supply, and rising sugarcane prices in the national market, coupled with greater diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production, are seen as key drivers pushing sugar prices higher. The state traders’ association has also flagged concerns over supply shortages, attributing lower production to the possible impact of El Nino, while noting that stockpiling by some companies has added further upward pressure on prices.
Instability in global markets, rising labour costs and higher transportation expenses linked to increased petrol and diesel prices have compounded the problem, directly impacting the cost of essential goods. Vegetable prices, meanwhile, have remained a persistent worry for the past fortnight, with most vegetables selling above Rs 50 per kg in local markets. Between costlier vegetables, cooking gas, fuel, pulses and rice, ordinary households are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their monthly expenses, with many now forced to think twice before routine purchases.
Leave a comment