Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part F (2025)

Price stability in essential food commodities is critical to India’s economic and social welfare. Over the past three decades, the prices of rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, and edible oils have undergone substantial fluctuations influenced by production cycles, policy reforms, global market linkages, and climate-driven supply disruptions. This study employs the Semi-Average Method and descriptive graphical analysis to examine long-term price trends and seasonal patterns across five major commodities from 1995 to 2025, using secondary data from government and international agencies. Findings indicate a persistent upward trend for all commodities, with pulses and rice recording the steepest inflationary growth, while sugar and edible oils show greater price stability. Seasonal price patterns demonstrate predictable post-harvest lows and pre-harvest peaks, particularly pronounced in pulses. The study provides policy recommendations for price stabilization, strengthening buffer stock operations, modernizing market infrastructure, and promoting data-driven early warning mechanisms.