From Free Garnish to Costly Essential
For many households across India, a small bunch of fresh coriander, often thrown in for free with other vegetables, is a daily necessity. However, recent weeks have seen its price skyrocket, turning it into a small luxury. In markets like Delhi's Azadpur
mandi, wholesale prices which are normally around ₹25 per kilogram at this time of year surged to ₹175, with retail rates climbing as high as ₹220-₹230 per kg. This dramatic increase has left consumers and even restaurant owners feeling the pinch, fundamentally changing the economics of a simple garnish.
Too Much of a Good Thing: The Monsoon's Impact
The primary culprit behind the price spike is the erratic and intense monsoon. Heavy rainfall in key coriander-growing regions, particularly in and around Nashik in Maharashtra, has wreaked havoc on crops. Flooding in late July damaged standing crops, and since coriander is a delicate leafy green, it is especially vulnerable to waterlogging and spoilage. Farmers reported significant losses, as the excess rain made it impossible to harvest and reduced the overall quality of the produce available. This situation was made worse by delayed rainfall in other producing areas like Bengaluru and Latur, which limited alternative supplies.
A Bumpy Road from Farm to Market
Even the coriander that survived the rains faced a difficult journey to urban centers. The monsoon has severely disrupted supply chains. Waterlogged roads and transport bottlenecks have caused significant delays. For a highly perishable item like coriander, every hour counts. Delays mean a higher rate of spoilage, and less produce making it to market in a usable condition. The typical supply route for coriander heading to northern cities often involves transport from Nashik farms to cold-storage facilities in Indore before reaching Delhi. This multi-stage journey is highly susceptible to weather-related interruptions, and any disruption quickly translates to a supply squeeze in the final market.
Market Dynamics and The Ripple Effect
With lower volumes of good-quality coriander arriving at wholesale markets, or 'mandis', prices have become extremely volatile. On some days, wholesale prices briefly touched ₹200 per kg before settling lower, reflecting the uncertainty in supply. Traders explain that leafy vegetables are the most difficult to price during the rainy season because their value can multiply within a day if a shipment is delayed. While some supply has been sourced from states like Karnataka, it has not been enough to fill the gap, and the quality has often been inferior. This imbalance between steady demand and restricted supply is the direct cause of the high prices consumers are now paying.
