In july 2023, Some Subway India outlets drop tomatoes citing poor quality amid price surge

Some Subway India outlets drop tomatoes citing poor quality amid price surge

The rising prices and quality issues of tomatoes in India have affected some Subway outlets in the country. Due to the significant increase in tomato prices, which have surged nearly 400% to reach record levels, certain Subway restaurants have decided to temporarily stop serving tomatoes in their salads and sandwiches.

For instance, a Subway outlet located at a Delhi airport terminal posted a sign informing customers about the “Temporary Unavailability of TOMATOES.” The sign explained that the restaurant faced challenges in obtaining a sufficient supply of tomatoes that met their quality standards, leading to the decision to remove them from their offerings for the time being.

This move reflects the impact of the tomato price surge on foreign brands operating in India and highlights the challenges faced by businesses to maintain the quality and availability of certain ingredients during times of significant market fluctuations.

The situation regarding tomatoes at Subway outlets in India seems to be inconsistent, with some locations still offering tomatoes while others have temporarily stopped due to supply and quality issues. A sign at a Subway outlet in a Delhi airport terminal mentioned that they are currently forced to serve products without tomatoes, but they are actively working to resolve the supply problem and bring back tomatoes.

Culinary Brands, which holds the master franchisee for approximately 200 of India’s 800 Subway outlets and manages the supply chain for all of them, did not provide any official comment on the matter.

As of now, it’s not entirely clear how many Subway outlets have been affected by the tomato supply issue. Some checks on food ordering apps and direct inquiries to stores indicate that many outlets in India are still offering tomatoes, but at least two in New Delhi, one in Uttar Pradesh, and one in Chennai have temporarily suspended serving tomatoes.

The situation may vary depending on the region and local supply circumstances, and it remains to be seen how quickly the supply issue can be resolved for the impacted outlets.

The rising prices of tomatoes in India have had an impact on several fast-food chains, including Subway and McDonald’s. Many outlets have been forced to temporarily remove tomatoes from their menu items due to the expensive cost and quality issues.

In the capital city, New Delhi, the price of tomatoes reached around 168 rupees ($2.05) per kilogram (93 cents per pound) on Saturday after touching approximately 240 rupees. The government attributes the surge in tomato prices to a lean production season, which has been further exacerbated by disruptions in transport and distribution caused by monsoon rains. These challenges have contributed to higher prices not only for tomatoes but also for other essential items such as milk and spices in recent months.

The situation highlights the impact of weather and supply chain disruptions on food prices in India and the challenges faced by both consumers and businesses in dealing with these fluctuations.

In response to the soaring tomato prices and the impact of high inflation on consumer spending in India, the government has taken measures to provide relief to the public. They have organized mobile vans that supply tomatoes at cheaper rates, which has resulted in hundreds of people queuing each day to access more affordable tomatoes.

Not only the government but also global restaurant chains operating in India, such as Domino’s and KFC, have taken steps to cater to cost-conscious consumers. These restaurant chains are launching lower-priced products in an effort to accommodate the budget constraints of their customers. For instance, Domino’s is actively promoting a 60-cent seven-inch pizza, which is the brand’s most affordable offering available anywhere in the world, exclusively in India.

These initiatives by both the government and private businesses illustrate the concerted efforts to alleviate the burden of high food prices and inflation on the Indian population. The situation has become a significant concern, and various sectors are working towards finding solutions to mitigate its impact on consumers and businesses alike.