Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 19: In Goa, Christmas is synonymous with generous spreads, bustling kitchens and recipes passed down through generations. This festive season, however, that tradition is being tempered by rising food prices, leaving many households recalibrating their celebrations.

A visit to local markets across the state reveals a common concern among shoppers: the cost of meat and poultry has climbed sharply. Broiler chicken prices are nearly 20 per cent higher than last December, while pork and beef have also become more expensive. Traders cite higher transport costs, though buyers complain that opportunistic price hikes are adding to the burden. For families accustomed to lavish roasts and rich curries, the result is often smaller quantities or a shift to more affordable alternatives.

Eggs, a staple for both savoury dishes and Christmas baking, have emerged as one of the biggest cost shocks. Retail prices have touched around Rs 100 per dozen, while ‘ganvti’ or organic eggs — preferred by many Goan households — are selling for over Rs 200 per dozen. Vendors warn that prices could rise further as demand surges in the days leading up to Christmas.

The price of coconuts, an essential ingredient in Goan cuisine, has also surged. Used extensively in gravies and festive sweets such as neureos, coconuts now cost upwards of Rs 50 apiece, compared to Rs 25–30 last year. For families that require dozens for Christmas cooking and baking, this increase has placed a noticeable strain on household budgets. While shoppers joke about coconuts becoming “luxury items,” the concern is far from light-hearted.

The impact is especially evident in the preparation of traditional Christmas sweets. Favourites like kulkuls, doce, dodol and the iconic bebinca depend heavily on eggs, coconut, sugar and flour — all of which are costlier this year. Home bakers are responding by either increasing prices for their sweet boxes or scaling back production altogether.

Middle-class families, in particular, are adjusting in subtle but meaningful ways. Some are pooling resources by celebrating jointly with extended family, while others are simply buying and cooking less than usual. As Christmas approaches, the spirit of the season remains intact, but it is unfolding against the backdrop of tighter budgets and more careful choices at the market.