A vegetable shop in Kozhikode.

| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Vegetable prices in Kozhikode have surged well ahead of Onam festivities, putting a huge financial strain on household budgets across the district.​With the holiday season officially commencing on August 17 (Chingam 1), consumers are facing mounting anxiety long before peak celebratory demand has even set in. “The steep price rise has affected people badly. Keralites traditionally celebrate Onam on a grand scale, but the increase in the prices of vegetables and fruits is forcing families to reduce the quantity of items they purchase. People are unable to celebrate the festival in the way they had planned,” said Sunitha Jyothiprakash, a homemaker.

The Palayam vegetable and fruit market in Kozhikode.

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