Chilli, turmeric prices shoot up

Hyderabad: The prices of red chilli powder and turmeric powder are rising month on month, caused by reduced arrival of raw turmeric and red chillies in the wholesale markets and increase in demand.

Red chilli powder which cost Rs 100 per kg in January this year is now sold for Rs 200 per kg in wholesale markets and retails for Rs 240 to Rs 260.

Turmeric powder now costs Rs 190 against Rs 110 per kg six months ago in the wholesale markets and bet-ween Rs 240 and Rs 300 in the retail markets. Traders said these commodities would become costlier in the next three months if rains fail.

“About 40 per cent of chill crop was lost in Madhya Pradesh and 30 per cent at Warangal was infected with gray rot. In Bhadrachalam too, 40 per cent of the crop was lost to infections, causing the shortage,” said G. Ramesh, a trader.