Coimbatore has seen a spike in rice and pulse prices after the monsoon failed to deliver expected rainfall, leading to lower grain output.
Prabhakar, president of the district grocery traders’ association, said pulse prices have risen by about Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg. With Deepavali approaching, he warned prices could climb further, adding that there has been no major change in wholesale prices of masala items.
He said traders do not expect prices to come down for at least four months, up to Pongal. Farmers have attributed the situation to the rainfall shortfall, while weather researchers have linked the weak rains to the El Nino effect. He added that the price rise is being felt across India.
Saravanan, secretary of the rice traders’ association, said rice prices have increased not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. While prices typically rise by Rs 2 to Rs 3 in this season, he said most varieties have now gone up by around Rs 6 per kg.
Amid the increases, Irudhayaraja, another association office-bearer, said edible oil prices have softened. He noted that palm oil and sunflower oil have dropped by about Rs 10 per litre compared to last month’s wholesale rates, while other oils remain unchanged.
