Hyderabad: Rising prices of essential commodities are squeezing household budgets in Hyderabad, forcing consumers to buy less, switch to cheaper varieties and turn to alternative grains.
For families spending ₹10,000-12,000 a month on groceries, rising costs of rice, pulses, sugar and cooking oil are adding to the financial strain. In Telangana , retail rice prices rose 13.3% between July and Sept, according to Union consumer affairs ministry data. Sugar mills have been directed to begin cane crushing from Oct 15, according to traders.
However, they expect operations could be delayed due to inadequate soil moisture linked to El Niño, which may affect harvesting, cane quality and sugar recovery.
He said farmers were harvesting paddy, maize, soybean and sugarcane, but some produce was being withheld from the market. Some farmers are also reportedly holding back supplies in anticipation of higher prices. Manoj Kumar, who runs a kirana store in Panjagutta, expects foodgrain consumption to increase during the festive season. Traders and shopkeepers believe govt-imposed stock limits could help curb excessive hoarding and black marketing. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Hyderabad | Silver Rate in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Petrol Price in Hyderabad | Diesel Price in Hyderabad | CNG Price in Hyderabad | LPG Price in Hyderabad
Traders warned that prices could rise another 10-20% if rainfall remains inadequate over the next 10-15 days.