Buying crispy banana chips and the delicious payasams will burn one’s pocket this Onam.
The prices of banana chips and payasams have shot up compared to last year. A kilogram of the popular variety of banana chips is being sold at ₹350. The cost of a litre of payasam has reached a range between ₹250 and ₹300 depending on the variety.
“We have no other option but to keep the price of banana chips at ₹350 considering the increase in the rate of raw Nendran and coconut oil. Raw nendran is being sold in the range between₹70 and ₹80 a kilo in the retail market while coconut oil price is about ₹175 to ₹200 a litre,” said a shop owner at the busy Vennala junction as people ordered the favourite palada and parippu payasam varieties.
The cost of raw nendran, which is used to make banana chips, had gone up to ₹70 a few days back in view of the increase in demand for the variety during Onam. The prices of Njalipoovan variety had also gone up ahead of the festival season. A vegetable vendor in Palarivattom said that they were selling Nadan Nendrakaya for ₹60 a kilo.
Various organisations, which used to operate Onam stalls, said they had no other option but to increase the rates of banana chips, payasams and other items following the implementation of Goods and Services Tax. The cost for a litre of payasam had gone up by nearly₹40 compared to last year owing to the new tax regime.
Despite the increase in prices, the demand for banana chips and payasams continues to rise this festival season. Shop owners pointed out that there is a steady demand for both the items. People are not ready to avoid banana chips and payasam from their wish list for Onam.
KTDC outlet
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is cashing in on the surge in demand by getting ready to offer a wide variety of payasams through its Onam Payasa Mela starting on August 30. The payasam varieties will be available at a special pavilion set up near its shopping complex at Marine Drive.
Some of the special varieties on the menu include chena payasam and kappa payasam . Other popular delicacies include mathanga payasam , pineapple payasam , chakka pradhaman , pasha pradhaman and gotambu payasam . The average price for a litre of various types of payasams ranges from ₹250 to ₹300. The quality of the payasams will be maintained as per the standards prescribed by the government.
