Inflation Hit: Retail inflation has been below four percent for the last two months, but the prices of major vegetables included as the main food in your plate are skyrocketing. In the last two years, the prices of potatoes, onions and tomatoes have doubled. The prices of other pulses except lentils have also increased rapidly. Spices have also started becoming more expensive now. Here is Arun Chattha’s report..
RBI has admitted in its monthly review that the prices of these three vegetables have almost doubled or more in the last two years. According to the report, prices have increased rapidly between September 2022 and September 2024. For example, the average price of tomato was below Rs 20 per kg in September 2022 but now it is close to Rs 50. Similarly, the average price of onion has reached Rs 100 per kg in many parts of the country. The price of potato has also gone above Rs 60 per kg.
Sharp rise in prices of spices
In the last few months, the prices of spices and edible oil have risen sharply. Cumin has reached the level of Rs 27 thousand per quintal, which is expected to reach Rs 29 thousand per quintal. This figure is different from the report released by the Reserve Bank.
Boil mustard and soya oil
On the other hand, prices of mustard, soybean and refined oil and other edible oils are seeing a rise of 15 to 20 rupees per liter before the festival. At the same time, the prices of tur dal have increased the most. Its price has gone up to about 50 to 60 rupees per kg. At the same time, urad has become expensive by about 10 rupees and moong dal by 8 to 10 rupees per kg.
supply needs to be improved
Retired JNU professor Arun Kumar says that the supply system in the country is not as good as that of any developed country. If the government manages storage and supply in a better way, then prices can be prevented from rising uncontrollably.