Kozhikode: It is becoming a rare sight to see crispy banana chips served alongside the Vishu sadya this year. With prices of nenthrakkaya (raw plantains) and other essential ingredients skyrocketing, banana chips—a festive favourite—are slipping off many dining tables.

Compared to last Vishu, prices have seen a sharp hike, discouraging consumers from indulging in this traditional treat. The cost of Sharkkara upperi (jaggery-coated banana chips) has shot up to Rs 400 per kilo. Traders attribute this to unseasonal rains which disrupted the supply of plantains, pushing prices higher.

The price of coconuts has also climbed, triggering a spike in coconut oil rates. A tin of coconut oil, which cost Rs 2,100 last season, now comes with a hefty price tag of Rs 4,575.

With the cost of raw materials rising steadily, traders fear that the once-thriving banana chip market could face a major crunch.