Rise in food prices makes Ramadan costlier

Karimnagar: This year Ramazan festival is going to be costlier for the Muslim brethren than last year with a significant rise in the prices of almost all essential commodities, for the last few weeks.

The prices of meat, ghee, cooking oil, flour, onion, chicken and fruits are increased. Meat sellers have increased prices by Rs 20 to Rs 50 per kg depending on the locality as retailers, previously selling beef at Rs 220 per kg, are now charging Rs 250. Boneless meat is now being sold at Rs 300 against the earlier rate of Rs 230 per kg.

There was no relief in chicken rates as well as some poultry farmers have started charging as high as Rs 110 to Rs 130 per kg while others have maintained their prices at Rs 190 to Rs 200 per kg.

In March last week, chicken was sold between Rs 110 to Rs 130 per kg. with skin Rs 160 per Kg, boneless chicken is Rs 380 to Rs 400 per kg. Goat meat has increased Rs 10 per kg, the price of which is no Rs 560 per kg. Boneless meat is Rs 710 kg.

Fish sellers also increased prices by Rs 30 to Rs 60 depending on fish size and variety. Onions price have also increased, which are available for Rs 20 per kg against the earlier rate of Rs 15 per kg last month. Dates, which are traditionally used to break the fasting during Ramazan, have also seen their prices increase during the last two months. Various varieties of dates have become costlier. For example, Kimia date is now sold at Rs 250per kg compared to Rs 175 last year. Iranian dates now cost about Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg against the Rs 150 to Rs 170 per kg last year. Non-branded dates are being sold at Rs 100 per kg compared to its price of Rs 60 last month.

Coming to fruits, water melon rates are Rs 20 per kg, which was easily available at Rs 10 to Rs 12 per kg last month. Banana rates also increased from Rs 35 to Rs 40 to Rs 45 dozen.

The price of local apple is Rs 130 per kg and that of imported apples is Rs 200, which is Rs 30 more than the price two months back. Mangos rate is Rs 80 to Rs 100 per Kg, while guava is Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg, grapes price went up Rs 120 per kg. Small pineapple is Rs 60 and big size Rs 100. Chikoo fruit is Rs 60 per kg, orange is Rs 100 per kg, pomegranate fruit is available at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg. Tarbhuja fruit rate is Rs 50 per kg which was available at Rs 40 Rs 45 last week.

Joining the trend, bread manufacturers also raised prices of all types of bread by more than four per cent in April. Large plain bread is now available at Rs 40. Butter manufacturers also increased rates and the prices of 100 grams and 500 grams are now Rs 46 and Rs 225 as compared to earlier prices of Rs 42 and Rs 195.