Green Chilli Soars to Rs 400 per kg, Leaves Consumers Hot and Bothered

India is grappling with skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, with reports now emerging of green chilies and ginger reaching a staggering Rs 400 per kilogram in certain parts of the country. The surge in prices comes just days after tomatoes created a stir by reaching Rs 100 per kilogram.

In Chennai, green chilies are being sold at Rs 100 per kilogram, while Kolkata witnesses green chilies and ginger priced as high as Rs 350 per kilogram, as reported by sources. The reduced supply of green chilies, which has dwindled to a mere 80 tonnes in the past week compared to Chennai's daily requirement of approximately 200 tonnes, has contributed to the surge in demand and subsequent price hikes.

Farmers in Andhra Pradesh experienced poor prices for their chilies during the last harvest, leading them to shift focus to other crops. Consequently, the Koyambedu market in Chennai primarily relies on green chili arrivals from Karnataka.

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Additionally, green peas have also become vastly expensive, with retail prices reaching up to Rs 280 per kilogram. However, the demand for green peas remains low, as most consumers can do without them.

Last week, the Department of Consumer Affairs reported that the average retail price of tomatoes across India stood at Rs 56.58 per kilogram on June 30. The modal price was Rs 100 per kilogram, while the maximum price reached Rs 123 per kilogram.

In major cities, the retail price of tomatoes was recorded at Rs 80 per kilogram in Delhi, Rs 48 per kilogram in Mumbai, Rs 105 per kilogram in Kolkata, and Rs 88 per kilogram in Chennai. Bengaluru registered a price of Rs 54 per kilogram, Bhopal and Lucknow each witnessed Rs 100 per kilogram, Shimla stood at Rs 80 per kilogram, Bhubaneshwar recorded Rs 98 per kilogram, and Raipur witnessed Rs 99 per kilogram.

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This surge in green chili prices adds to the list of essential commodities that have experienced unreasonable price spikes, including rice, salt, sugar, onions, ginger, and edible oil. The failure to manage the market and maintain a balance between demand and supply has raised concerns of potential consumer backlash and social unrest.

Efforts are underway to address the situation and stabilize prices, but immediate relief for consumers is still awaited. The government and relevant authorities are exploring measures to manage the market effectively and curb the volatility that adversely impacts consumers' wallets.

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