New Delhi, Apr 25: The government today said though the prices of foodgrain and essential commodities in the domestic as well as global markets have seen an upward trend due to a variety of reasons, the rates of most of the key items in the country have either become steady or declined.

"Only retail prices of mustard and vanaspati oil had shown an increase, but they are showing a declining trend from the last one month," Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Kanti Lal Bhuria told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

He said the prices have increased in both domestic and international markets due to reasons such as inadequate supply in relation to demand, diversion of foodgrain to bio-fuel and animal feed besides production losses on account of inclement weather conditions.

As per the details of retail price situation furnished by the minister for the national capital, atta prices have risen by over 50 per cent during the last four years while gram, dal and tur dal have become dearer by about 68 per cent and 45 per cent respectively. The rates of these commodities, however, have been steady for the last two months.

Similarly, rice and wheat prices went up by around 50 per cent during the last four years, but their rates have been constant at Rs 18 and Rs 13 per kg respectively during the last two months (as on April 21).

As per the data, prices of groundnut and mustard oils went up by around 39 per cent and 35 per cent respectively between April 04-08. However, mustard oil prices dropped to Rs 73 per kg as on April 21 from Rs 82 a month ago.

Bhuria said Government is aware of the increase in prices of essential commodities and has taken steps to check it through effective measures.