The floods in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have disrupted transport, leading to a sharp increase in prices of food commodities that are brought from these states — particularly pulses. On the other hand, prices of commodities like rice and wheat, which were exported to these states, have fallen.

On October 1, Moong bean that was being sold at Rs 58 per kg has gone up to Rs 70 per kg. The rate of Urad bean has gone up from Rs 53 to Rs 62 per kg. Similarly, the rate of Pigeon Pea has increased from Rs 66 to Rs 76 per kg.

The rate of wheat, however, has gone down by Rs 25 per quintal and rice by Rs 100 per quintel. A quintel of rice, whi-ch was earlier being sold at Rs 1,350, is now available for Rs 1,250 in the wholesale market.

State president of Uttar Pradesh Khadya Padarth Udyog Vyapar Mandal, Gyanesh Mishra, said: “Between April and October, 4.50 lakh quintel of wheat was transported to Karnataka and Andhra. But in the last few days, transportation to and from these two states has come to a complete standstill, leading to big fluctuations in the prices of essential food commodities.”

It will take at least two to three weeks for the situation to return to normal, but in the near future, the price of pulses being brought from Andhra and Karnataka are likely go up, he added. Mishra further said that prices of groundnuts are expected to witness a steep rise in the next few days. “Most of the groundnuts is brought from Karnataka and the complete stoppage of supply is likely to increase the rates,” he added. At present, groundnuts is being sold at Rs 35 to Rs 45 per kg.

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