Price surge: Onion, tender coconut, lemon prices soar in Yadgir’s open market

In Yadgir’s open market, the prices of essential items like onions, tender coconuts, and lemons have skyrocketed, leaving consumers with limited options. Local vendors have been selling onions at ₹70 per kilogram, tender coconuts at ₹80 each, and lemons at ₹10 per piece. These three commodities are crucial for daily food consumption; onions and lemons are primary ingredients for cooking, while tender coconuts are known for their health benefits.

The sudden price rise is mainly attributed to supply shortages due to poor rainfall. Villagers rely on external traders for tender coconuts, which are procured from places like Mysuru, Mandya, and Tamil Nadu. Gopal, a local coconut vendor, explained that deficient rainfall has led to lower yields and a scarcity of supply. The price surge in lemons, in particular, has caught many off guard; typically, five to six lemons are sold for ₹10, but the current price is now ₹10 per lemon.

This hike in ingredient costs has affected both households and commercial establishments. Restaurants and event caterers have started rationing lemon and onion servings due to the steep increase in costs. A local buyer, Naveen Kumar, admitted that he had to spend ₹100 on 10 lemons to prepare a meal at home, making cooking significantly more expensive.

Villagers also warn that deficient rainfall, which follows the onset of the southwest monsoon, continues to hamper crop yields. They expect onion, lemon, and tender coconut prices to keep rising as the summer approaches.