Retail prices of garlic in various parts of the state have escalated sharply, reaching Rs 400 per kg, which is double the price from a month earlier. The wholesale prices are also high, generally ranging between Rs 350 and Rs 370 per kg across the state. However, Aiginia Mandi in Bhubaneswar has slightly lower wholesale prices, ranging from Rs 320 to Rs 330 per kg.
The surge in garlic prices is attributed to a significant reduction in supply to the state. Odisha depends on garlic imports from major producing states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Last year's garlic crop in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh suffered considerable damage due to poor and unseasonal rains, resulting in a severe shortfall in supply. Furthermore, the delayed harvesting of the new crop has exacerbated the supply issue.
Aiginia market, a key wholesale vegetable market in the state capital, has a daily requirement of about 20 to 40 tonnes of garlic, which is distributed to other major markets in the state, including Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati. In contrast, the situation in Chhatra Bazaar in Cuttack reflects a dual problem. The market has seen a reduction in garlic stock from 40-50 tonnes to just 10-20 tonnes daily, and even the available stock remains largely unsold due to the steep prices, leading to wastage. This situation is expected to persist for the next 20 to 25 days.