Guwahati: Rising grocery prices are stretching household budgets across Guwahati, with kitchen staples turning costlier since June.Eggs have recorded the sharpest rise. A tray of 30 now sells for Rs 250-260, up from Rs 190-200 in June — an increase of nearly 31%. Premium eggs have become around 16% more expensive.Staples have also seen steady increases, said Arun Deka, a retail grocer in Ulubari. A 26kg bag of rice now costs Rs 1,560-2,080, against Rs 1,300-1,924 in June, an average rise of about 13%. Mustard oil has become over 8% costlier, sugar around 10% and detergent powder 15%.“The prices have not increased overnight. They have been increasing gradually over the last month,” Deka said.At current retail rates, a household buying one 26kg bag of rice, five litres of mustard oil, two kilograms of detergent, five kilograms of sugar and two trays of eggs a month is spending about 14-15% more, Deka said.For many families, the cumulative impact is far sharper than individual price hikes suggest.“Although each price increase may appear modest in isolation, together they are significantly raising the monthly grocery bill. For many families, the higher cost of essentials means cutting back on non-essential purchases, delaying discretionary spending or stretching household budgets further to maintain the same standard of living,” said Nisha Baruah, a private school teacher in Guwahati.Baruah said middle- and lower-income families, already grappling with higher education, healthcare and transport expenses, were being forced to tighten their budgets further as food and household essentials have become more expensive.
Price rise in essential commodities
