Odisha : Edible oil, vegetables prices surge amid fuel hike
Bhubaneswar and other parts of Odisha are witnessing a sharp rise in prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, pulses and edible oils. Retail prices are reportedly Rs 10-20 per kg higher than wholesale rates, while edible oils such as mustard and palm oil are nearing Rs 200 per litre due to higher transport costs and import duties.
Bhubaneswar, May 27: Prices of essential commodities, including edible oil, pulses, sugar and vegetables, have witnessed a sharp rise within just 10 days, putting additional burden on consumers. While prices in wholesale markets remain comparatively lower, retail shops are reportedly charging Rs 10 to Rs 20 more per kilogram on several items.
The soaring prices of vegetables such as brinjal, tomato, bitter gourd, carrot and drumsticks have particularly affected household budgets, with most vegetables now being sold between Rs 60 and Rs 80 per kg in retail markets.
The price of pulses, which was around Rs 120 per kg earlier, has now touched Rs 130. Similarly, mustard oil and palm oil prices have increased steadily over the past week and are now selling between Rs 180 and Rs 190 per litre. Traders fear the prices may soon cross the Rs 200 mark.
Consumers are already struggling with high petrol and diesel prices, and the continued rise in food and vegetable costs has added to their worries.
On Monday, vegetable prices at Unit-1 market in Bhubaneswar remained relatively controlled compared to retail outlets. Drumsticks were sold at Rs 100 per kg, brinjal at Rs 40-50, tomatoes at Rs 40, cucumber at Rs 60, bitter gourd at Rs 40 and pointed gourd between Rs 20 and Rs 40 per kg.
However, in several local retail markets, the same vegetables were sold at much higher prices. Brinjal was priced between Rs 70 and Rs 80, bitter gourd at Rs 60, cucumber at Rs 80, pointed gourd at Rs 60 and drumsticks at Rs 120 per kg. Prices of ginger and garlic have also climbed to around Rs 120 per kg.
Traders attributed the rise in vegetable prices to increasing petrol and diesel costs. Vegetables such as pointed gourd, okra, carrot, pumpkin and papaya are currently being transported from states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru and Uttar Pradesh.
According to traders, transportation costs have gone up significantly, with freight charges increasing by nearly Rs 1 per kilometre. As a result, retailers are being forced to sell vegetables at rates higher than wholesale market prices.
Meanwhile, mustard oil is currently retailing at around Rs 190 per litre, while refined oil prices have reached Rs 180 per litre. The rising cost of edible oil has further added to consumers’ concerns.
As per the State Traders’ Association, edible oils including mustard oil, sunflower oil and palm oil are being imported into Odisha from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Digha in West Bengal.
The association stated that Odisha requires nearly five lakh tonnes of edible oil annually, and traders are importing supplies accordingly. However, increasing import duties are contributing to the rise in prices.
Sudhakar Panda said the association had already submitted a proposal to the government for controlling rising prices and urged the authorities to act on it at the earliest.
To Read more about Edible Oil News continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Prameya News
