Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Festive Sweet Prices Rise as Hyderabad Essentials Become Costlier
Making modaks and other festival foods is becoming more expensive in Hyderabad.
Sugar, jaggery, rice, oil and dals all cost more than before.
Toor dal rose to Rs 145 per kilogram from Rs 125 a fortnight earlier.
Many vegetables now cost more than Rs 100 per kilogram.
One resident said Rs 100 now buys only two kilograms of onions, compared with five earlier.
Families with lower and middle incomes are reducing quantities and changing their spending.
Shopkeepers say higher prices are also hurting their sales.
Flower prices have recently fallen, but sellers expect them to rise during Ganesh Chaturthi because more people will want flowers.
Sugar prices rose from Rs 45 to Rs 65 per kilogram, while jaggery increased from Rs 55 to Rs 75.
Fine rice now costs Rs 60–70 per kilogram, compared with Rs 50 earlier, and cooking oil is about Rs 6 costlier.
Toor dal increased to Rs 145 per kilogram from Rs 125 a fortnight ago, while urad dal was reported at Rs 140 in both comparisons.
Vegetable prices have surged, with residents saying Rs 100 now buys two kilograms of onions instead of five.
Flower prices recently declined but vendors expect them to rise during Ganesh Chaturthi as demand increases.
- Who
- Hyderabad households, shopkeepers, flower vendors and consumers preparing for Ganesh festivities.
- What
- Prices of ingredients, vegetables and some festive goods have risen, making modaks, sweets and savouries costlier.
- When
- Prices increased over the past 10 days or fortnight; flower prices were reported on September 4 and the following Monday, ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Where
- Hyderabad, including markets and shops in Attapur, Saidabad, Mahalaxmi and Gudimalkapur.
- Why
- The articles attribute the increases to lower cultivation and crop production linked to El Niño rainfall conditions, inflation, and higher demand for flowers during the festival.
Households and Retailers
Seasonal and Supply Factors
Effect of higher prices
Households and Retailers
Residents say rising costs are forcing families to reduce quantities and adjust expenses, while shopkeepers report weaker sales and additional pressure on their businesses.
Seasonal and Supply Factors
The article attributes the price increases to lower cultivation and crop production, inflation, and changing demand and supply.
Flower prices before the festival
Households and Retailers
Flower vendors anticipate that prices will become more expensive during Ganesh Chaturthi, increasing the cost of festival preparations.
Seasonal and Supply Factors
A Gudimalkapur market official said flower prices had recently declined and fluctuate according to demand and supply.
- Sugar price
- Rs 65 per kilogram, up from Rs 45.
- Jaggery price
- Rs 75 per kilogram, up from Rs 55.
- Toor dal price
- Rs 145 per kilogram, compared with Rs 125 a fortnight earlier.
- Fine rice price
- Rs 60–70 per kilogram, compared with Rs 50 earlier.
- Onion prices
- Residents said Rs 100 now buys two kilograms, down from five kilograms earlier.
- Flower price change
- From September 4 to the following Monday, chrysanthemum fell from Rs 120 to Rs 100 per kilogram, marigold from Rs 50 to Rs 30, and roses from Rs 170 to Rs 80.