Alappuzha: Onam season has arrived, with shops now lined with traditional snacks such as nadan upperi (banana chips) fried in coconut oil and sharkara varatti (jaggery-coated banana chips). With schools and offices having started their Onam celebrations, the demand for these delicacies has risen. Interestingly, the surge in prices has not affected sales in the market.

Among all, upperi fried in coconut oil remains the most popular choice. However, the steep rise in coconut oil prices this year has become a major challenge. As a result, the cost of coconut oil-fried upperi has increased by nearly ₹160 per kilogram compared to last year. This Onam season, the price stands at ₹480 per kilogram, whereas last year it was ₹320. Traders recall that coconut oil itself cost just ₹320 per kilogram during the previous season, highlighting the sharp price hike. Currently, raw bananas are selling at around ₹40 per kilogram.

Apart from coconut oil, palm oil and sunflower oil are also being used to fry these snacks. Upperi fried in sunflower oil is priced at ₹400 per kilogram, while the palm oil version ranges between ₹360 and ₹380. Sharkara varatti fried in coconut oil is priced between ₹360 and ₹400 per kilogram, in sunflower oil at ₹360, and in palm oil between ₹320 and ₹360.

Other seasonal favourites, such as cheeda and jackfruit chips, are also made primarily with coconut and palm oil. Cheeda fried in coconut oil costs ₹360 per kilogram, while the palm oil version is available at ₹280. Jackfruit chips fried in coconut oil are priced at ₹480 per kilogram, with the palm oil alternative at ₹400.

The demand for raw bananas has shot up this season, with adequate stock arriving from Mettupalayam and, occasionally, from Wayanad. Currently, raw bananas are selling at ₹38 per kilogram.

According to local trader K.S. Rajendran, the real business for Onam begins from Pooradam day and peaks until Thiruvonam. He added that sales have already gained momentum.