Shruti Suman
The cost of garlic, a vital ingredient in Chinese and Mughlai cuisine, has soared in major cities of Uttar Pradesh, reaching Rs 500-550 per kg. This sudden price hike has put people in a quandary as they find themselves having to forgo their favorite dishes temporarily. Garlic is primarily obtained from local farms in limited quantities and also from regions like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other districts of UP. Traders attribute this price surge to last year’s delayed monsoon, which led to garlic planting being delayed until August. Consequently, the harvest occurred in January, resulting in a shortage of supply. Traders anticipate that prices may decrease after two weeks when the new crop becomes available.
The rise in garlic prices is also linked to delayed harvesting and arrivals of the kharif crop. Similar to onions, garlic is cultivated during both the kharif and rabi seasons. Kharif garlic is planted between June and July and harvested between October and November, while the rabi crop is planted betweenSeptember and November and harvested between March and April.
Restaurants in urban areas are now grappling with a tough decision – whether to absorb the increased costs or pass them on to customers. For many eateries, reducing the use of garlic isn’t a feasible option as it significantly impacts the flavor of their dishes. Consequently, they have no choice but to transfer the price hike to consumers.
The surge in garlic prices has had a widespread impact on the food industry. Restaurants are devising strategies to cope with the heightened costs. Some may opt to increase prices for dishes heavily reliant on garlic, while others may explore alternative ingredients or reduce garlic quantities.
Wholesale Prices of Garlic in different sabzi mandis
Dubagga Mandi – Rs 300-310/kg
Sitapur Mandi – Rs. 300-320/kg
Gomtinagar Mandi – Rs. 330-350/kg
