Why Have Garlic Prices Doubled To Rs 400/kg In A Few Days?

The recent surge in garlic prices has exacerbated the ongoing inflation of essential commodities, nearly doubling within days. Garlic rates have reached Rs 400 per kg in certain regions, driven skyward by dwindling supply.

A staple spice widely utilized across India, garlic's price has swiftly escalated, now ranging between Rs 300 to Rs 400 per kg in retail markets. These elevated prices are anticipated to persist until the year's end.

According to The Economic Times, wholesale garlic prices have similarly surged, ranging between Rs 130-140 per kg, while higher quality garlic commands prices between Rs 220-250 per kg in wholesale markets.

The sudden spike in garlic prices follows a trend seen with onions, experiencing a rapid twofold increase within a week. The scarcity of garlic stems from severe crop damage caused by unseasonal rainfall due to Cyclone Michaung, severely depleting the available spice in the market.

This shortage is likely to drive prices upward until the arrival of the new yield, expected by month-end. Traditionally, winter sees increased garlic prices due to lower yields and constrained supply.

This price surge follows a previous shortage in onions, which persisted in wholesale markets despite government efforts to stabilize prices, remaining at Rs 300-400 in retail and around Rs 200 in wholesale.

The unforeseen surge in essential fruit and vegetable prices results from extreme weather conditions disrupting crop yields in various Indian regions.