People in Bengaluru felt the pinch as the cost of essential vegetables, fruits, eggs, and meat skyrocketed over New Year, and ahead of the upcoming Sankranti festival. Tomatoes and onions have doubled in price in some markets, cabbage and cauliflower are sharply up, and even meat and eggs are costlier due to surging festive demand. Shoppers are now facing the brunt of extreme weather, low local yields, and heavy reliance on supplies from neighboring states.
Tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and cauliflower have seen sharp price increases due to a combination of cold snaps, heatwaves, and low supply. Tomato prices at local markets have jumped to Rs 72 per kg, while onions are now selling at Rs 42 per kg. Drumsticks, which cost Rs 700 per kg last month, have eased slightly to Rs 400 per kg, providing minor relief to shoppers.
Other vegetables such as bitter gourd, carrots, radish, and beans have also recorded price hikes, with carrots now priced around Rs 64 per kg and French beans at Rs 135 per kg. Peas, imported from Tamil Nadu and other states, remain relatively affordable at Rs 40-50 per kg.
Winter has further affected the supply of fruits. Cardamom bananas are now priced between Rs 90-100 per kg, while green bananas are available at Rs 40 per kg. Local vendors warn that prices could rise further as Sankranti approaches, reflecting reduced local yields and reliance on supplies from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
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