As grocery prices leap, Chennai families trim kitchen menu

Spice prices have also risen sharply. Gundu chilli leaped from Rs 330 to Rs 420 a kg, while long chilli went from Rs 275 to Rs 290. Coriander increased from Rs 190 to Rs 210.

The price of fine varieties of rice, including Ponni, commonly consumed in Tamil Nadu, has crossed Rs 70 a kg from Rs 55-60 previously. Basmati rice is now at Rs 122 from Rs 113.

K Vedhavalli, a homemaker, said the rise in grocery and vegetable prices was making it difficult to manage the monthly household budget.

“The prices of rice, pulses, oil, onion and tomato, besides various other essentials, including milk, have gone up in the past two to three months. Our monthly budget has increased by 20% to 30%, affecting other expenditures,” she said.