Cooking just got costlier: Garlic at Rs 400 per kg, carrots at Rs 80

The cost of cooking is climbing higher as vegetable prices in Kerala, especially Kottayam, continue to soar, leaving families struggling to adjust. From everyday essentials like garlic to more niche items like beetroot, prices are reaching new heights, making it harder for households to manage their grocery bills.

As the Sabarimala pilgrimage season of kicks off, the situation is further exacerbated, with prices of popular kitchen staples such as carrots, onions, raw bananas, and coconuts spiking. These price hikes are disrupting family budgets and forcing consumers to re-evaluate their spending habits.

Shoppers are seeing fewer fixed prices on display as vendors now opt for blackboard-style pricing boards, allowing them to update prices quickly in response to fluctuating costs.

Smaller portions, bigger prices
To soften the blow for consumers, many vendors now display prices for half a kilogram instead of the standard one kilogram. However, even this trick does little to mask the reality. For instance, garlic costs Rs 400 per kilogram, ginger and drumsticks are priced at Rs 120, and carrots sell for Rs 80. Onions range from Rs 40 for smaller varieties to Rs 80 for standard-sized ones.

Beetroot from Cumbam, commonly available in the market, is priced at Rs 60 per kilogram, while premium Ooty beetroot ranges between Rs 70 and Rs 75. Retailers are hesitant to stock Ooty beetroot due to additional price hikes at retail counteRs

Just a month ago, beetroot was Rs 40 per kilogram, raw banana was Rs 55, and coconuts were also sold at Rs 55. But as prices soar, shops increasingly display costs per half-kilogram.

A little relief amid the rising costs
There is some good news for shoppers, though. Njalipoovan bananas have seen a drop in price from 60 to 50 per kilogram. Other vegetables like cabbage, okra, tomatoes, ivy gourd, beans, long beans, pumpkin, and snake gourd are still priced reasonably in the 40 range.

Green peas break the 200 mark
The price of green peas has now crossed a staggering 205 per kilogram, a sharp rise from 150 last month and 115–130 just a few months ago. This price hike is largely due to a drop in imports from Australia, reducing supply and pushing prices even higher.

Current vegetable prices in Kottayam
Garlic: 400 per kilogram
Ginger: 120 per kilogram
Drumsticks: 120 per kilogram
Carrots: 80 per kilogram
Onions: 40–80 per kilogram
Beetroot (Cumbam): 60 per kilogram
Ooty Beetroot: 70–75 per kilogram
Raw Bananas: 55 per kilogram
Coconuts: 55 per piece
Njalipoovan Bananas: 50 per kilogram
Green Peas: 205 per kilogram
Other vegetables (cabbage, okra, etc.): 40 per kilogram

With prices steadily climbing, cooking at home is fast becoming a more expensive affair in Kottayam.