Edible oils, pulses and dry fruits beyond the reach of ordinary folks

Nellore:  Prices of pulses and edible oils increased considerably as compared to the same season last year, causing heartburns to the consumers. Sunflower oil price rose to Rs 160 per litre from Rs 80 to Rs 90 in 2020, while palmolein oil price increased to Rs 130 from Rs 65 or Rs 70 the previous year.

As for pulses, black gram is sold for Rs 110 as against Rs 85 per kilo in 2020 and red gram Rs 110 as against Rs 85. There is no major change in the rates of green gram.

Homemaker Sujatha Vinay of Nellore said rates of mustard, coriander seeds, cumin and pepper, which are used for flavour and aroma in the dishes, increased by Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kilo this year. “The less said the better on the rates of vegetables,” she said while pointing to tomato, carrot and onion prices, sold at Rs 50 per kg and Brinjal at Rs 60 -- marking a 50 per cent increase compared to the previous months.

Referring to people’s newfound interest in buying dry fruits to improve their immunity in the backdrop of Covid, trader Madhu Reddy said the cost of cashewnut increased to Rs 700 per kilo from Rs 600 earlier and Badam to Rs 700 from Rs 500 before.

He said clove being sold for Rs 800 per kilo as against Rs 600 in the previous months while cardamom soared to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,500 in the past. 

The increase in the cost of diesel and petrol contributed to the rise in the rates of all commodities because the hike in transportation costs is added to the commodities, he noted.