While yet another round of two-month-long election festivities is underway, a sudden surge in the prices of all edible items — groceries, vegetables, fruits —  has dampened the household spirit during the ensuing Navratri, Poila Baishak, Bihu, and Baishaki festivals.

Prices of any green vegetable, be it okra, beans, bottle gourd, or bitter gourd, are not less than `100 per kilogram. Even the usually affordable vegetable like cabbage is selling at `60 per kilogram, while potatoes have risen to `30 per kilogram and onions to `40 per kilogram across the national Capital.

During the festive season of Chaitra Navratri, the markets are witnessing a surge in fruit prices, such as banana, apple, and papaya, primarily driven by the increased demand for these fruits. Bananas, being both affordable and nutritious, are the preferred choice for devotees fasting during this period.

Bananas, which typically sell at `40-50 per dozen, are now priced at `70 per dozen. Similarly, prices of apples, oranges, grapes, and papayas have gone up.

Apples, once sold at `100-120 per kilogram, now come for `150-180, while oranges are priced between `80-100 per kilogram, up from `30 per kilogram. Grapes, pomegranates, and papayas have also seen notable price increases.

Praveen, a shopper, expressed concern over the price hike, noting that prices surge even before Navratri begins.

Wholesale and retail prices have gone up, with people residing in different cities also facing hardship as India’s favourite staple pulse — arhar dal — is burning a hole in the pockets at `180 per kilogram.

“Day by day, essential items like pulses, once affordable for all, are becoming less accessible, while the prices of fruits and vegetables continue their upward climb. Families now find themselves facing difficult decisions and an uncertain future in challenging economic times. These days we do not get customers buying items about a quarter of a kilogram or even less than that,” said Mukesh Saini, a departmental store owner in South Delhi’s Kalkaji.

Vikas Kumar, a vegetable shop owner in Rohini, said due to Bhandara (community feast), more people are consuming vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes. “Potatoes are selling for up to Rs 30 per kilogram and tomatoes for Rs 70-80 per kilogram,” he said, adding that after Navratri, onion prices are likely to be hiked up to Rs 60-70 per kilogram.

Sellers attribute the rise in prices of essentials to weather conditions and the farmers’ protest. They said the production of vegetables was hit due to bad weather and rain, whereas supply is less and demand is more.

The average price of arhar dal is Rs 180 per kilogram, which was Rs 110 per kilogram a year ago on February 12, 2023. The average price of arhar dal has increased by more than Rs 70 in one year. The current average price of Urad dal is Rs 130 per kilogram, which was Rs 105.1 per kilogram a year ago.

The price of urad dal has increased by Rs 25 per kilogram, and the price of moong (chilka) dal is Rs 120, and chana dal is Rs 80 per kilogram. Fruits such as watermelon and melon saw a decrease in prices. Watermelon prices dropped from Rs 50 to Rs 30-40, and melon from Rs 70 to Rs 40-50.