A 50-kg bag of Nandyal Sona, which sold for around Rs 2,600 three months ago, is now priced at nearly Rs 3,800.

K Narendra Kumar

Kurnool: Riceprices have risen steeply across the erstwhile Kurnool district, putting pressure on ordinary consumers, who rely on the staple. Popular varieties such as Nandyal Sona and Kurnool Sona, widely demanded across Telugu States, have seen sharp increases over the past three months.

A 50-kg bag of Nandyal Sona, which sold for around Rs 2,600 three months ago, is now priced at nearly Rs 3,800. Kurnool Sona has climbed from about Rs 2,400 to nearly Rs 3,500 per 50-kg bag over the same period. The steepest jump occurred in the last 10 days, with prices rising by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per bag in a short span. The sudden escalation has particularly affected middle-class and lower-income households.

Traders primarily blame the impact of El Niño and the severe shortage of rainfall during the current agricultural season. Paddy cultivation in several parts of the district has virtually come to a standstill due to inadequate rains, leading to a drastic drop in production and market arrivals. With little or no paddy reaching rice mills, rice availability has declined sharply. Rising demand has further widened the supply-demand gap and pushed prices higher.

It is also reported that some traders are allegedly exploiting the shortage by engaging in black-marketing of popular varieties, especially Nandyal Sona and Kurnool Sona. Consumers are bearing the brunt of the price rise, while traders caution that rates could climb further if paddy arrivals do not improve.

The situation has heightened concerns among households already grappling with rising living costs. Market observers have called for close monitoring of the rice trade to curb hoarding and prevent illegal profiteering.

K Narendra Kumar

Published Date: September 21, 2026