No Price Spike Before Ugadi? Bengaluru Markets Are Breaking The Pattern

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 12:28 IST

For those preparing traditional Ugadi dishes like Obbattu, the prices of ingredients like Toor dal, Chana dal and jaggery are still available at stable prices.

In the run up to Ugadi, markets in Bengaluru are usually marked by rising prices and heightened demand for essential ingredients. Households preparing festive meals often brace for a spike in the cost of vegetables, pulses and other staples. However, this year, the trend appears to be different, with prices remaining largely stable despite broader economic challenges.

The festive season has arrived with an unexpected sense of relief for many residents in the city. Meghana Gowda, a Bengalurean preparing for her family’s Ugadi celebrations, told News18 that she had expected the usual surge in prices as the festival approached.

“I thought the prices of all veggies would have shot up by now since there are only two days left for Ugadi. I was mentally prepared to be overwhelmed with prices. But to my surprise, the prices are all normal. I can’t remember the last time this was like this for any festival. I will buy to my heart’s content now."

Her experience reflects a wider trend seen across markets in Bengaluru, where the cost of pulses, grains and vegetables has remained steady. This stability has come as a surprise, especially at a time when the city is dealing with a regional energy crisis and shifting global supply chains.

Wholesale Trends and Impact of LPG Crisis

While consumers are benefiting from stable prices, traders point to changes in wholesale demand as the key reason behind the trend. According to market experts, the volume of bulk purchases has declined significantly in recent weeks.

This drop is linked to the ongoing gas emergency as well as the impact of the Iran Israel conflict. Many restaurants and catering services, which typically purchase large quantities of ingredients, have either shut down operations or reduced their menus due to the shortage of cooking gas. As a result, wholesalers are adjusting their prices slightly to ensure steady movement of goods in the market.

Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, President of the APMC Food Grains Wholesale Merchants Association, explained the situation to News18:

“Although the Iran Israel war is ongoing, we do not receive any grains from those regions. However, in the wake of the war, many restaurants have closed due to a shortage of cooking gas. Therefore, trade turnover in the market has declined. Business is 30 percent lower this time compared to last year."

Festive Essentials Remain Affordable

For families preparing traditional Ugadi dishes such as Obbattu, the prices of key ingredients have remained largely unchanged over the past few weeks. Items like Toor dal, Chana dal and jaggery are still available at stable prices. Among essential commodities, only cooking oil has seen a slight increase.

Here are the current APMC wholesale rates:

The timing of Ugadi this year has also contributed to easing financial pressure on families. Despite a reported 30 percent drop in overall market turnover, individual consumers are experiencing one of the most affordable Ugadi seasons in recent years.

News cities bengaluru-news No Price Spike Before Ugadi? Bengaluru Markets Are Breaking The Pattern