Karnataka : Rice price spike: Sona Masuri and RNR rates jump due to rain deficit
Rice prices in Karnataka rose over 25 percent due to rain deficits, panic buying, and water shortages in the Cauvery and Tungabhadra basins. Wholesale prices for Sona Masuri, RNR, and Kolam jumped by 15 to 20 rupees per kilogram amid regional supply shortages.
Kalaburagi: The price of rice has increased by more than 25% in the last two to three weeks following a rain deficit and panic buying by merchants.
Most farmers in the Cauvery river basin skipped growing paddy this season as authorities did not release water for irrigation.
Low paddy output and reduced crop yield is also expected due to inadequate water storage in the Tungabhadra dam in Kalyana Karnataka which accounts for nearly 60% of Karnataka’s total rice production with six lakh acres coming under paddy cultivation in the region.
In wholesale market, the price of Sona Masuri variety has increased from Rs 55 kg to Rs 70 per kg, RNR from Rs 60 to Rs 75 and Kolam variety from Rs 70 to Rs 85.
Rice millers claim that the paddy rate has jumped from Rs 3,600 to Rs 4,200 a quintal in the last few weeks since neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are also facing a stock shortage.
“We are facing paddy shortage as farmers in the Tungabhadra command area skipped their second crop last year to allow the replacement of 33 crest gates of the Tungabhadra dam. Now, rainfall deficit in the kharif season has aggravated the situation. We used to procure paddy from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but farmers there have not produced the crop due to lack of adequate water in the dams. We will face hardship in the absence of paddy as it will cost us a minimum Rs 2 lakh a month even if we stop operating the mill,” said Shivakumar S, secretary of the Karnataka Rice Mills’ Owners Association.
“The prices of all rice varieties have increased by at least Rs 15-20 per kg in the retail market and prices may increase further. We are expecting some fresh paddy crop from the Tungabhadra command area by November and December if farmers get adequate water from the dam,” said N L Ashwath Narayana Gupta, president of the Bangalore Grain Merchants’ Association.
Highlights – Wholesale rice prices Sona Masuri Earlier Rs 55 per kg Present 70 per kg RNR Earlier Rs 60 Present Rs 75 Kolam Earlier Rs 70 Present Rs 85
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Source : Deccan Herald
