Pune: The price of a regular cup of tea at several roadside stalls and small eateries in Pune is coming under pressure as the cost of key ingredients continues to rise. Tea that was earlier commonly sold for around ₹10 is increasingly being priced at ₹15, with vendors citing higher expenses for sugar, milk, tea powder and commercial cooking gas.

Sugar has become a major concern for small tea sellers, with prices reportedly reaching around ₹70–₹80 per kg in some markets. Milk and tea powder costs have also added to the burden, while higher commercial LPG expenses are further increasing daily operating costs.

For tea vendors, even a small rise in the price of individual ingredients can significantly affect their daily expenditure. With hundreds of cups often prepared each day, maintaining the earlier selling price is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses operating on limited margins.

The impact is being felt beyond tea stalls. Bakeries, sweet shops, juice centres, snack outlets and other small food businesses that depend on sugar are also facing increased production expenses. Owners say they are being forced to reassess prices to prevent rising input costs from eating into their earnings.

Small traders say they are finding it difficult to absorb the rising costs for long. Many operate on narrow margins and purchase ingredients frequently, leaving them more exposed to changes in market prices. Some vendors are therefore opting for modest price increases rather than reducing the quantity or quality of ingredients.

For consumers, the increase means that the familiar roadside cup of tea may no longer remain a ₹10 purchase, as local businesses try to balance higher input costs with affordable prices. If ingredient prices remain elevated, customers could see further changes in the prices of everyday snacks, beverages and other food items in the coming days.