Prices of the politically sensitive items like onion remained highest in Delhi at Rs 10 a kilo at the beginning of the month.

Meanwhile, in the financial capital Mumbai, wheat, atta and sugar prices surged the most. Wheat rates went up by 24 per cent to Rs 15.5/kilo compared to other metros. In south India where rice is the staple food, prices have shot up by over 40 per cent despite Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu being the largest producers of grain in the country.

Rice in Chennai has become costlier by Rs 4/kilo. HDFC Bank chief economist Abhek Burua said, “Food items are priced at higher levels in metro cities because of better buying power of people.”

Whether in smaller cities or big metros, there would always be a local variation in prices, he said, adding that the spiralling prices are hitting those people living on the edge in metros the hardest.

Of the 14 food items analysed, mustard oil and milk prices rose highest in Kolkata compared to other cities. Mustard oil went up by 39 per cent to Rs 78/kilo while milk rose by Rs 4 to Rs 30/kilo in the last one year.

Similarly, milk prices ruled at Rs 20/kilo in Delhi and Mumbai. Whereas in Chennai they stood at Rs 18/kilo on April 1. Tea (loose) prices rose by 10 per cent to Rs 230/kilo in the coffee drinking city of Chennai. In other metros, prices remained in the range of Rs 100-150/kg.