Onam shoppers in Kozhikode hit as vegetable prices climb before festival

Vegetable prices in Kerala's Kozhikode district have risen sharply ahead of Onam, leaving families struggling to manage their festival budgets. The price surge comes even before the peak holiday demand, which officially begins with the start of the Malayalam month of Chingam on August 17.

Homemakers say the increase has forced them to cut down on the quantity and variety of vegetables and fruits they buy for the festival. “The steep price rise has affected people badly. Keralites traditionally celebrate Onam on a grand scale, but the increase in the prices of vegetables and fruits is forcing families to reduce the quantity of items they purchase. People are unable to celebrate the festival in the way they had planned,” said Sunitha Jyothiprakash, a homemaker.

Greengrocers report that ginger is the most expensive item, currently priced at ₹220 a kg. They attribute the high cost to heavy rainfall that has damaged ginger crops and reduced supply. Some vendors say the price could rise further to ₹250 a kg in the coming days.

Other vegetables have also seen significant price increases. Carrots are selling at ₹120 a kg and bitter gourd at ₹90 a kg. Limited shelf life has further constrained supply. Raw banana, commonly used to make chips, is priced at ₹75 a kg and may become costlier next week. Curry leaves, coriander leaves, and mint are all around ₹100 for small bunches, according to E. Pradeep, a vegetable vendor in Kozhikode.

Yardlong beans cost ₹90 a kg, while beans are ₹80 a kg. In contrast, some essentials remain relatively cheaper: potatoes at ₹25 a kg, tomatoes at ₹26 a kg, and onions at ₹36 a kg. However, the availability of pumpkin and cucumber is also reported to be low.

Narayanan Kalpakassery, chairman of the Farmers' Apex Council at the Vengeri Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market in Kozhikode, said the price rise is driven by a combination of higher demand and lower production. “Adverse weather conditions and heavy rainfall have damaged crops, reducing the quantity of vegetables available in the market. Prices could rise further in the coming days as demand is expected to go up ahead of Onam,” he added.

A large portion of the vegetables sold in Kozhikode is brought in from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, while onions and potatoes are sourced from Pune and Nashik in Maharashtra. Wholesale price increases are quickly reflected in retail prices, adding to the burden on consumers. Pradeep noted that most vegetables come through the Palayam market, and the unexpected rise began even before the Ramayana Masam, the Malayalam month of Karkidakam that started on July 17. “We are forced to buy stocks in smaller quantities because of the rise in prices,” he said, adding that prices have increased by 10% to 30% for almost every vegetable.

Consumers are now calling on the State government to intervene. Several residents suggest that subsidies through the Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp) could provide relief and prevent artificial price inflation during major festivals. K. Rajalekshmi, another homemaker, said such measures would “not only provide considerable relief to consumers but also keep a check on artificially inflated prices ahead of major holidays.”

The price trend is likely to continue in the short term, as weather conditions remain uncertain and festival-driven demand is expected to grow. For now, families in Kozhikode are making difficult choices as they prepare for one of Kerala's most important celebrations.