Tea stall owners in Kolhapur have been compelled to raise the price of ginger tea from Rs 5 to Rs 8 due to the escalating prices of ginger. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Kolhapur currently sells ginger at Rs 155 per kilogram, while it is priced at Rs 220 per kilogram in the retail market. Traders attribute these high prices to a scarcity of ginger in the market.

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Somnath Shintre, a tea stall owner, mentioned that many of them had to make adjustments in response to the increased ginger prices. Some stall owners have chosen to reduce the use of ginger, increase the price of ginger tea, or seek alternatives.

In Shintre’s case, he has started using cardamom instead of ginger. Additionally, the cost of milk has also risen from Rs 45 per liter in January to Rs 60 per liter presently, which has further compelled stall owners to raise the price of tea and limit the serving size to half cup.

The rise in ginger prices has posed challenges for tea stall owners in Kolhapur, prompting them to adapt their offerings and pricing to cope with the increased costs.

Residents of Nagala Park, such as Vishal Gurav, are feeling the pinch of rising ginger prices. They now have to pay Rs 50 for just 250 grams of ginger. In addition, the cost of tomatoes remains high at over Rs 120 per kilogram.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought significant challenges to eateries and businesses, leading to losses for many, including ginger farmers. Farmers from the Shirol tehsil in Kolhapur district had to abandon ginger farming due to the financial hardships faced during the pandemic. This has contributed to the current shortage of ginger in the market.

Mubin Bagwan, a trader from the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), explained that they are currently dealing with a mixture of old and new ginger. The new ginger has a milder flavor but is still fetching a good price. Typically, ginger is sourced from Satara. However, due to the limited supply, traders have had to procure ginger from Karnataka. Unfortunately, this alternative source of ginger is not preferred by consumers.

The combination of high prices and short supply has had a direct impact on Kolhapur residents and farmers, affecting their daily lives and agricultural practices. The situation remains challenging as stakeholders adapt to these changes in the ginger market.