Rice prices in Tamil Nadu have climbed sharply, with a 26-kg bag now selling at up to Rs 2,100 in retail markets, leaving consumers shocked and household budgets strained.
While paddy is cultivated across delta districts such as Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, and also in districts including Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai and Tirunelveli, the state’s production is not sufficient to meet overall demand. For fine varieties such as BPT and HMT, Tamil Nadu depends on supplies from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
This year, the southwest monsoon has not been normal, leading to a notable drop in cultivation in major paddy-producing states. In Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra, cultivation is still underway, and Tamil Nadu’s Kuruvai season has also not progressed as usual. At the same time, rice exports from across India have risen significantly, creating tighter availability for domestic distribution.
Wholesale prices for a 26-kg bag of fine rice that were around Rs 1,100–1,350 in early January have steadily increased to about Rs 1,400–1,900 now. In retail outlets, the same bag is being sold from roughly Rs 1,800 to above Rs 2,100, with some branded bags reportedly reaching Rs 2,250.
An official from the Tamil Nadu government’s agri-business wing said the price rise is linked to lower output and wider inflation in food items, citing climate impacts such as El Niño. The official added that export controls are a matter for the Union government, while the state can act against hoarding; if the current trend continues, prices could rise by a further 10%, especially with festival-season demand adding pressure.
