A steep rise in the prices of essential items, especially that of vegetables, meat and fish, has hit monthly budget of the poor and lower middle class salary earners in Kerala.
This might be one of the steepest increase in recent times and is spread over almost all the essential items. A major spill over of this situation is the sharp rise in hotel food in the state.
During the last 5-6 weeks, prices of all vegetables have seen a two-fold or three-fold increase and traders cite reasons like petrol price increase and heavy rainfall in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
In Kerala the demand for vegetables is on the increase, thanks to the commencement of Shabarimala pilgrim season. Citing these reasons, traders have enhance the prices of vegetables, which they procure from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at cheap rates.
For instance, the price of carrot has increased to Rs 40 a kg while that of lady's finger to Rs 20. These were just the half a month back. The per kg price of tomato now costs Rs 24.
Live chicken is priced at Rs100-105 in retail trade from Rs 72-74 four weeks ago. Beef, which is the most sold meat item in Kerala, now costs Rs 150 a kg, Rs 10 higher from last month while mutton costs Rs 350 a kg. Egg has increased to Rs 3 -3.20 in retail sales.
Traders also say the transportation cost had doubled during last 3-4 months.
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Price of fish, an essential in the daily menu of the Keralites, has increased heavily in recent times. The price of Indian sardine has increased to Rs 50 a kg from Rs 30 two months ago. Likewise, Mackerel that had dropped to Rs 40 a kg now costs Rs 80. Fresh water items like Pearl Spot comes at Rs 240 -280 a kg and that of prawns ranges from Rs 250-350.
The quality of fish is also low due to heavy icing for weeks.
On the other hand, rice, pulses and other grocery items have increased 10-30 per cent in recent weeks. Milk price has been enhanced to Rs 28 a litre. Price of baby food, toiletries and other stationery items too also increased on account of various reasons. Kerala being one of the top consumer states in the country, prices of essential items are increasing continuously for the last 2-3 years. The state government recently increased the DA to 7 per cent. There is no fixed rate for the daily wages in Kerala. It varies from Rs 350 -450.
With the pilgrim and tourists season starting, prices are expected to rise further, especially for tourists from outside the state and country.