Cough up more for fafda, jalebi as prices go up

Fafda and jalebi, the Gujaratis' favourite Dussehra snack, has become expensive this year, thanks to rise in the cost of ingredients to make these mouth-watering dishes. If vendors in Ahmedabad are to be believed, then the high cost of ghee, chana atta and maida which are used to make these delicacies, is to be blamed for the rising cost.

According to Ashwin Mehta of Mehta Sweets, "Cost of raw materials has increased exorbitantly. For instance, cost of pure ghee is in Rs4500 - Rs5000 range. Same is the case with chana atta and maida. So overall cost of the product has increased by 15-20%."

Mehta also fears that this might lead to a drop in sales. He added, "Somebody who bought 1kg of fafda last year will opt for 500gm this year and the one who bought 500gm last year will go for 250gm now. Hence, the purchases will definitely fall."

Similar views were shared by Jashwant Patel of Jai Hind Sweet shop, who said, "Besides raw materials, this time we are also facing shortage of workers. Most workers who came from Rajasthan have not turned up this year, as their work on the farms is not yet over. Hence, the limited workers we have are demanding high wages."

Last year workers charged anywhere in the range of Rs1500-1700 per day and this time they are seeking Rs2000-2500 per day, thus adding to the cost, Patel added.

Agreeing with this, co-owner of Chandravilas Restaurant, Pavan Joshi, said that the cost of fafda and jalebi during Dussehra will rise by 20%.