Prices of several essential agricultural commodities have increased by more than 10 per cent in the last one month, according to figures released by the state civil supplies commission. The price hike is being seen as a result of deficit rainfall and hoarding. While prices of pulses like Bengal gram and green gram have increased by Rs 6.86 and Rs 6.40 per kilogram, respectively, prices of varying qualities of rice went up by over Rs 1 per kg. Traders, though, said it has stabilised over the last couple of days.
According to the civil supplies commission, Bengal gram was priced at Rs 67.30 per kg while green gram and black gram were Rs 68.17 and Rs 60.11, respectively, on August 8. The average price of “superfine quality” rice was stated to be Rs 32.89 per kg the same day, but local traders said the price has come down since. The same day, rice was selling for Rs 35 per kg in the city. Rice price was peaking over the last couple of months, when there was a heavy deficit in rainfall in the state. Wholesale traders in the city again blame lack of rains and hoarding by rice millers for the price hike.
A trader in Malakpet, where the wholesale rice market is concentrated, said: “Price of rice has decreased by about Rs 200 per quintal in the last 20 days. But it was very high even a month ago. Rice millers in Miryalaguda and Nizamabad districts held stocks, leading to the price rise.” Price of the widely used sunflower oil has also gone up by about Rs 3 per litre. Raju, an Afzalgunj-based oil trader, said: “The rise is due to the late crop in the state. Oil is now being refined from sunflower seeds brought from outside.” Sugar prices have also seen an increase of about 17 per cent in the last month.