The price of Hyderabadi naan has shot up not because of tough competition from other forms of bread but in spite of it!
Naan makers are forced to hike the price of the bread of the poor for the second time in a year. It is now priced at Rs 9 and the chances are that it could be further hiked to Rs. 10 before the end of the year.
The traditional naan has always held a prominent place when it comes to Hyderabadi cuisine and is preferred along with the various Mughlai dishes cooked in homes and hotels here. Many shops across the city prepare the bread which is baked in the tandoor.
Ingredient prices up
Earlier this year, its price was Rs 7 but was hiked to Rs 8 and now has been priced at Rs 9. “Keeping in view the escalating prices of the ingredients we are forced to increase the prices,” says Khaja Abdul Hameed of Khadeem Munshi Naan, Purani Haveli.
The ‘maida’ flour, the main ingredient, is now priced at Rs. 2,300 a quintal, against Rs. 1,900 a couple of months ago.
This apart, prices of other ingredients like curd, yeast and oil have also registered a significant increase. Coal prices have also increased by Rs. 200 to Rs 300 a kilogram, say the traders.
Many takers still
The tough competition to the traditional bread from other forms of bread like ‘rumali roti’, ‘paratha’ and ‘kulcha’ has not affected the price increase. Gafoor Bhai of Deccan Naan, Nampally, says “The changing trends have made their impact but still we find many takers and orders continue to pour in.”
In fact, more and more new shops have sprung up in the city in the last few years, while the old ones at Nampally, Purani Haveli and Charminar continue to be popular among the public.
“Once upon a time naan was the preferred choice of the poor as it could be eaten even with tea. But its frequent price rise has discouraged the practice,” says Khaleel Ahmed, an old timer of Purani Haveli. It is a matter of bread and butter after all.
