Sky-high cilantro prices leave vendors, consumers reeling

Once a staple in every Indian kitchen, cilantro now has become a rare luxury in state households.

Known for its vibrant green hue and unmistakable aroma, the herb that once crowned every dish is now conspicuously absent from plates and palates. Being sold in retail at an astonishing Rs 600 per kg, cilantro’s steep price has left both consumers and vendors reeling.

Traditionally offered as a complimentary garnish with vegetable purchases, coriander leaves have now vanished from the freebie list. Reason? Recent floods that ravaged state’s agricultural belt, wiping out coriander crops and disrupting local supply chains. With fields submerged and harvests destroyed, vendors are now sourcing coriander leaves from Shimla and Kullu, transported painstakingly by road. The added logistics have only inflated the cost further.

Amarvir Singh, a wholesaler, said: “The supply is extremely limited. Whatever little coriander leaves we get is coming from hill states. The road transport adds to the expense and with the state’s crop gone, prices were bound to rise.”

Local shopkeepers are witnessing a shift in consumer behaviour.

“People were used to get coriander leaves for free,” said a vendor.

“Now, most of the people have stopped buying it altogether. I’ve reduced my stock as it just doesn’t sell,” he said.

Residents like Poonam from BRS Nagar are feeling the pinch.

“I paid Rs 20 for just five strands of cilantro. I bought it as everyone loves its taste. But the prices are just too high,” she said.

The ripple effect has reached restaurants too. A Ludhiana-based eatery owner said: “Cooking costs are soaring. We’ve stopped using fresh coriander leaves and switched to dry kasoori methi. With winter approaching, it adds a nice flavour and is more affordable.”

The coriander crunch has not only altered culinary habits but also highlighted the fragility of local agriculture in the face of climate disruptions. As the state grapples with the aftermath of floods, the humble herb’s absence serves as a reminder of how deeply intertwined are food, farming and daily life. For now, kasoori methi may fill the aromatic void but the longing for fresh cilantro lingers and its absence felt in every dish that once sparkled with its green garnish.