Varamahalakshmi effect: Flower, fruit prices soar

NT Correspondent

KR Market was bustling on Thursday people shopped on the eve of Varamahalakshmi festival. People were relieved as they could shop for the festival without Covid restrictions after two years.

However, the soaring prices of flowers, fruits and vegetables dampened the festival spirit. According to the shopkeepers, the prices of all varieties of flowers and fruits have gone up.

“Jasmine is selling at the maximum price. Last week it was Rs 800 per kg, today we are selling it at Rs 1,500. We have many buyers for Kanakmbara as well, which costs Rs 2,000. Even if the cost has gone up, many people are still buying it because of the festival,” said Ramesh, a flower seller at KR Market.

Shopkeepers said the fruit prices have also gone up sharply. The cost of apples has gone up to Rs 330 per kg and pomegranate up to Rs 75 per kg

Despite the heavy rainfall in the city, the market was milling with people.

The prices of vegetables remained high throughout July. This week, the average vegetable prices are up Rs 10 per kg. The cost of beans, carrots and capsicum was Rs 70, Rs 80, and Rs 90 a kg respectively, in the market.