Workers unload sugarcane at KR Market ahead of Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14. The sugarcane, which is a key requirement for the festivities, is brought in from various districts.
DH PHOTO/SK Dinesh
Bengaluru: As the auspicious harvest festival of Makar Sankranti approaches, markets are buzzing with activity, with people flocking to buy essential items such as sugarcane, jaggery (bella), fried gram, peanuts, sesame seeds, rice, and coconut.
This year, the demand for sugarcane has resulted in higher prices compared to last year as excess rainfall impacted its production.
DH visited several markets to gauge the festive mood in the city.
Umraz Khan, a sugarcane farmer with fields in Hosakote and Channapatna, said, “Sankranti is our busiest time of the year, with demand peaking. From January 10 to 14, we work 24 hours a day.” He added that prices have risen by Rs 100, particularly for black sugarcane, which is in high demand for the festival.
Shahid Khan, another farmer, explained his challenges. “I transport my produce to Bengaluru and other nearby towns, making about 40 trips during this season. Last year, a bundle of 10 sugarcanes was priced at Rs 400, but this year, due to rising costs, it’s gone up to Rs 500.”
Despite paying Rs 7,000 for transportation, he noted that the price hike barely covers the costs. “While a small increase helps with expenses, our profits remain low. We don't want to burden customers by raising prices too much,” he added.
Sweet beginnings with jaggery
Black (kappu) sugarcane, typically used for pujas, rituals and consumption, remains the most sought-after variety for Sankranti, while other sugarcane varieties are primarily used for juice extraction.
Jaggery (bella) is another key item for the festival, particularly for making ellu bella, a traditional mixture of sesame seeds, fried gram, peanuts, diced jaggery, and copra.
However, Shamil from Modern Departmental Store noted, “The demand for bella has decreased due to complaints about poor quality, compounded by reduced production. Prices have gone up as a result, but demand has surged with Sankranti around the corner. There is also an increased demand for fried gram.”