Modak prices in Pune are expected to rise by ₹5 to ₹7 per piece during this year’s Ganeshotsav as the cost of jaggery, rice, sugar, dairy products, dry fruits, cooking gas and other raw materials increases, according to modak businesses cited in a report by Loksatta.
Demand for steamed ukadiche modak and fried modak has already increased ahead of the 10-day festival, with commercial producers, women’s self-help groups and home-based sellers preparing for the seasonal rush. Modaks are purchased by public Ganeshotsav mandals as well as households offering them as prasad.
Businesses said the increase in raw-material costs was likely to raise production expenses this year. Jaggery prices have reached about ₹65 per kilogram, representing an increase of 15% to 20% compared with last year, according to the report. Sugar prices had also reached a recent high before stabilising, while higher liquefied petroleum gas costs have added to the expense of preparing the sweets.
Sandeep Shinde of Swamiraj Food Centre said the price of a modak had increased from ₹10 per piece in 2005 to as much as ₹45 now. He attributed the rise to higher costs for sugar, jaggery, rice, cooking gas and labour. The same modak was priced at about ₹30 to ₹35 last year, according to his statement.
Despite the expected increase, businesses said demand had not declined. The festival season creates employment for larger food businesses, women’s self-help groups and home-based sellers, while the demand extends beyond Pune during the period.
Harsh Mane of Shree Modak said his business produces between 10,000 and 12,000 modaks each day. During Ganeshotsav, production is expected to reach between 200,000 and 225,000 pieces. The business also receives demand from Mumbai, Dhule and Ahmedabad, he said.
Mane added that demand was once concentrated around Ganeshotsav but had expanded across the year. The growth in orders has also been linked to the increasing number of working women seeking prepared modaks, according to the report.
Swati Vyavahare of Gaurav Snacks said an ongoing campaign by the Food and Drug Administration against adulteration had had a positive effect. She said customers were expected to receive greater assurance about the quality of jaggery, sugar and rice used in the products, although better-quality ingredients had also contributed to higher prices.
The expected price increase comes as Pune’s modak businesses prepare to meet festival orders from households, public mandals and customers outside the city. Producers are continuing preparations for the Ganeshotsav season, when demand is expected to be at its highest.
