Chennai grocery prices have increased once again. Everything is adding to your bill. Rice has increased in price compared to last month. Dal, onion and ghee too have increased in price. Here's what a family of four is paying extra, based on our own simple calculations from the rates reported.
Chennai Grocery Prices: Rice Has Moved the Most
According to DT Next, Krishna boiled Ponni rose from ₹61 per kg to ₹79 per kg in a month. That's nearly 30 per cent. Retailers say the average raise is about ₹11 per kg, compared with September. Idli rice rose from ₹37 to ₹46. For one customer in Kodambakkam, a 26 kg bag of Ponni lifted from ₹1,900 to ₹2,200.
Not every brand went up to the same degree. Some only climbed by 7 per cent, some increased by 30 per cent. The lesson is shop around first.
How a Family of Four is Paying More
Suppose we plan on using 10 kgs Ponni monthly, 3 kgs idli rice and 1 kg toor dal. Those are our numbers so use what works for you at home.
- 10 kg Krishna Ponni: ₹610 earlier, now ₹790, so Rs 180 more
- 3 kg idli rice: Rs. 111 previously, Rs. 138 now, so Rs. 27 rise
- 1 kg toor dal: ₹126 before, now wholesale is ₹143, so Rs 17 excess
That totals to about ₹224 more a month for only three items. That's ₹2,688 for a year. The dal rate we're using is wholesale, so the shopkeeper may still make you pay more. If you buy the full bag of 26 kg, the bag cost alone is ₹300 more.
Oil declined while ghee advanced
Chennai grocery prices are not rising everywhere. At the wholesale level, one brand of sunflower oil dropped from ₹182 to ₹170. Some brands of gingelly oil are inching up. One ghee brand, from ₹680 to ₹825. Wholesale prices listed are from early October.
Onion and Vegetables Are Feeling the Rain
The sambar onion is wholesale for ₹120 a kg at Koyambedu. Traders said the shops now sell for ₹180. It had become scarce after rain. About 20 lorries used to bring the onion daily, but recently only 10-12 did. Wholesale cost – Beans: ₹90 a kg; green peas: ₹250.
Why Prices Keep Rising
Traders say rice production declined in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Others shifted to crops that are quicker to mature. Poor rains in other states hit pulses. Demand during festivals adds to the crunch, and off-take by agents pushes the shortage further.
A trader bets rice prices to soften after January. Relief for dal appears unlikely before Pongal.
Four Ways to Cut Your Bill
- Buy only one month of stock, because panic buying increases prices
- Compare brands, as the increase ranged from 7 to 30 per cent
- Use gram dal to prepare Sundal and Vada, at Rs.90 per kg, instead of toor dal at Rs.143 per kg
- Request for 5 kg packs if the 26 kg bags are not available
Prices vary quickly this time of year, so check your local shop price before planning your month. Get other kitchen how-tos at OneTeamTV or see our Receipe section.
Common questions
What's the increase in price of rice in Chennai?
The retail rice inched up by 7 to 30 per cent in a month. Krishna boiled Ponni increased from ₹61 to ₹79 a kg. The rate varies from brand and shop.
Why is sambar onion so costly now?
Rain reduced the flow of supply at the Koyambedu market. The number of lorries daily came down from approximately 20 to 10 or 12. The wholesale rate was maintained at ₹120 a kg. The retail rate has climbed to ₹180 a kg. At wholesale, beans are ₹90 a kg and green peas ₹250.
Will grocery prices come down soon?
One trader expects rice to turn soft after January. Dal relief seems highly unlikely before Pongal, say traders. It entirely depends on rain and sowing. Check your local shop price every week.
Additional costs for a family of four?
By our calculation, just on rice and toor dal, around ₹224 per month. Your bill will depend on the brand and on the amount of rice. Oil and vegetables will also add to this.
Is it good to stock up now?
No. The agents' bulk buying is contributing to the shortage, so buy only around a month's worth of stock. Your own extra stock at home is also a temptation to waste.