Festive inflation shock: Sugar crosses Rs 70/kg in Bhopal; onion prices reach Rs 50 ahead of Rakshabandhan; will prices rise further?
Bhopal: Even before the onset of the festive season, rising prices have begun to disrupt household budgets in the capital, Bhopal. After the price of sugar—a staple for adding sweetness—crossed the Rs 70-per-kilogram mark, onion prices have now started bringing tears to people's eyes.
In Bhopal's markets, the price of onions has reached approximately Rs 50 per kilogram. With the simultaneous rise in the cost of two essential food items, concerns about mounting household expenses during the festive season are growing.
Households facing a double whammy of inflation with surge in Onion prices
During the festive season, the purchase of sweets, delicacies, and other food items increases. Amidst this, sugar prices have already crossed the Rs 70 per kilogram mark. Now, with onion prices reaching around Rs 50 per kilogram, ordinary households are facing a double whammy of inflation.
Onion consumption rises significantly during festivals; demand increases not only in households but also in hotels, ‘Dhabas’, restaurants, and food-related businesses. This raises concerns that price pressure on the market will intensify in the coming days.
Onion prices could increase further
Traders in Bhopal state that, given the current rise in demand for onions, prices could climb further in the near future. If market arrivals fail to keep pace with demand, prices could potentially reach Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kilogram.