Tomato prices have become a hot topic of conversation nationwide. In Mumbai’s retail markets, tomatoes are being sold at an astonishing rate of Rs 160 per kilogram. This sudden surge in vegetable prices has come as a major shock to the Indian population, especially when coupled with the ongoing trend of job layoffs.Job layoffs is already a big trend in the market which is making people lose their jobs and making them financial unstable and this trend is getting a huge hit by the increased prices of vegetables. It is highly remarkable to note that the price of a single tomato is now nearly equivalent to what an entire kilogram would have cost just a few months ago.
According to reports, that high surge in tomato prices can be attributed to multiple factors, including a sudden temperature rise in March and April, leading to a severe pest attack and subsequent crop abandonment by farmers. In addition, delayed monsoon, insufficient vegetable production, and extreme heat have further contributed to the price hike.
Currently, tomato prices are escalating rapidly, and experts predict that this upward trend will persist with no sign of prices declining. Experts have emphasized that the situation hinges on the timing of the release of kharif tomatoes into the market.
Talking about the vegetable rates in the market currently, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 145 per kilogram in Delhi and nearby cities which are way too expensive for common people. Similarly on the other hand, a single cauliflower is priced at Rs 80, ginger is approximately Rs 380 per kilogram (or Rs 38 for 100 grams), and green chillies have seen a surge in prices to Rs 170 per kilogram (or Rs 17 for 100 grams). The escalating vegetable prices have become exorbitant for a significant portion of the population, especially when coupled with shrinking salaries and prevalent market inflation.
In metropolitan cities, tomato prices have witnessed a significant surge. The retail price in Gurugram stood at Rs 140 per kilogram, while it was priced at Rs 110 per kilogram in Bangalore, Rs 107 per kilogram in Varanasi, Rs 98 per kilogram in Hyderabad, and Rs 90 per kilogram in Bhopal on Thursday.
Let’s take a look at the prices in the cities below:
Mumbai: A recent report has revealed that the tomato prices in Mumbai have surpassed ₹150 per kilogram. It’s not just tomatoes that have gained the price in the city but also, other vegetables such as ginger, chillies, and coriander have also experienced a significant surge in prices. The prices are extremely surprising as ginger is currently being sold at ₹200-300 per kilogram, while coriander has reached a price range of ₹200-350 per kilogram. This escalating vegetable prices have become a cause for concern among consumers in Mumbai too.
Bengaluru: As per the report, the retail price of tomatoes in Bengaluru has surpassed the ₹150 per kilogram mark. In a few shops tomatoes were being sold for over ₹160 per kilogram. The report also states that a customer decided to purchase only two pieces of tomatoes after knowing the prices. In another report by ANI, a farmer based in Karnataka alleged that her tomato harvest, valued at ₹2.5 lakhs, was stolen from her farm in the Hassan district. The farmer, named Dharani, had cultivated tomatoes on a two-acre land and had planned to harvest and transport the crop to the market due to the soaring prices exceeding ₹120 per kilogram in Bengaluru. These incidents shed light on the significant surge in tomato prices, causing concerns among consumers and farmers alike. The impact of rising tomato prices extends beyond retail shops, affecting farmers’ livelihoods and leading to unfortunate incidents such as thefts.
Madhya Pradesh: In Madhya Pradesh, there has been a significant issue with the quality of coriander, chillies, and tomatoes due to a lot of water damage. The water damage has impacted the price very badly, the price of tomatoes, which was previously at ₹140 per kilogram, increased to ₹160 per kilogram which has been a big shock to the consumers of Bhopal. The local tomato supply has been affected, which is leading to a reliance on tomatoes being sourced from Bengaluru and also leading to a high surge in prices. Both chillies and coriander were also sold in large quantities at a rate of ₹125 per kilogram. In the wholesale market, tomatoes were being sold for a price range of ₹2,200 to ₹2,300 per carat. This situation highly highlights the impact of water damage on the quality of these vegetables, resulting in higher prices and a shift in sourcing.
Bihar: In Bihar, there has been a notable surge in the prices of cauliflower, cabbage, potato, and onion. The cost of 1 kilogram of cauliflower and cabbage has risen to approximately ₹60, whereas in May, it was priced at around ₹30-40 per kilogram. Similarly, the prices of onions have also experienced an increase, going up from ₹20 per kilogram in early May to ₹30 per kilogram in July. This rise in vegetable prices reflects the impact of market dynamics and seasonal fluctuations, resulting in increased costs for these essential food items. The prices have also impacted the consumers choices which made a huge change in their food habits too because of the price changes too.
Assam: The capital city of Assam, Guwahati, is grappling with soaring vegetable prices as a result of the recent floods that have impacted multiple districts in the state, leading to crop damage. This flood-induced devastation has caused a significant surge in prices for all green vegetables in the local market. Tomatoes, along with other green vegetables, are witnessing an unprecedented price hike in Guwahati. Currently, tomatoes are being sold at a range of ₹100 to ₹120 per kilogram, while green chillies are commanding prices as high as ₹450 to ₹500 per kilogram. The prices of other green vegetables have also been significantly affected by the floods and heavy rainfall. The adverse impact of the natural calamity on the availability and quality of green vegetables has resulted in the steep rise in prices, posing challenges for consumers in Guwahati.
West Bengal: In West Bengal, the prices of vegetables have witnessed a drastic surge, particularly in the case of chillies and tomatoes, which have seen an increase of over 200 percent in the past two weeks. Previously, tomatoes were being priced at ₹40 to ₹50 per kilogram, but now they almost cost ₹130-150 per kilogram. Green chillies, which were being sold at ₹150 per kilogram a week ago, are now being sold for ₹300-350 per kilogram. Additionally, other vegetables have also experienced a significant price rise ranging from 30 to 50 percent.
Jammu: Heavy rainfall and landslides in Jammu have resulted in poor crop yield, leading to increased prices of vegetables like ginger and tomatoes. Consumers are urging the government to intervene and address this issue.
Odisha: Tomatoes are being sold for approximately ₹140-160 per kilogram, green chillies for around ₹200 per kilogram, and ginger for ₹300 per kilogram. The rising prices of these essential vegetables have caused concerns among consumers in the region.
The prices might rise in future too and it will be interesting to see what government takes an action too.
