New Delhi: The kitchen budget has deteriorated in recent months. According to government data, pulses, rice and flour have become costlier by up to 30% in a year. Meanwhile, tomato has crossed Rs 250 per kg in some parts of the country. Although potato prices have come down slightly, onion prices may start increasing from next month.In response to a question in Parliament, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has said that except potatoes, most food items have become expensive.
These include arhar-moong dal, rice, sugar, milk, peanut oil and flour. In the last one year, potatoes became 12% cheaper, but onions became 5% more expensive. After tomatoes, arhar dal has the biggest role in spoiling the kitchen budget. It has become 30% expensive in 1 year till July 31.According to Crisil, onion can reach Rs 60-70 per kg in early September due to reduced supply. It is currently being sold at Rs 15-30 per kg. Crisil says that in February, rabi crop ripen early in major producing states like Maharashtra. In March, unseasonal rains in these areas reduced the shelf life from 6 months to 4-5 months.The ministry said that the main reason for the increase in the price of arhar dal is the decline in domestic production. Last year, 4.22 million tonnes of pigeon pea was produced. This year, it is estimated to fall to 3.43 million tonnes. In many tomato-growing areas, whitefly outbreaks and rains led to less crop loss and supply disruption.The rise and fall of inflation depends on the demand and supply of the product. If people have more money, they will buy more things. Buying more things will increase the demand for things and if there is no supply according to demand, the price of these things will increase.
