In a significant blow to household budgets, the price of tomatoes has skyrocketed to ₹100 per kg in the retail markets, marking a sharp increase of ₹20 per kg in just 48 hours. The sudden surge in tomato prices is adding to the woes of the poor and middle-class consumers who are already grappling with the high prices of onions.
Just 20 days ago, tomatoes were being sold for ₹30-40 per kg in the domestic market. However, five days ago, the prices jumped to ₹60 per kg, and now, the wholesale traders are selling tomatoes at ₹80 per kg to retail vendors, who are further selling them to customers at ₹100 per kg.
The spike in prices is being attributed to a shortage in supply caused by shrinking cultivation areas and recent heavy rains that have damaged crops. Due to the volatility in tomato prices, farmers are hesitant to plant the crop, which has led to an increased dependence on imports from other states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
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Four to five months ago, local traders sourced tomatoes from Nizamabad and Medak districts. However, recent heavy rains have destroyed crops in these regions, halting the import of tomatoes. Similarly, imports from Kalyanadurgam and Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh have also been suspended due to flood-related crop damage.
In Andhra Pradesh, a 22 kg box of tomatoes is now being sold at ₹1,550, translating to ₹70 per kg. Wholesale traders importing tomatoes from these regions sell them at ₹80 per kg after adding transportation and handling costs. Retail traders, adding their own profit margin of ₹20 per kg, are now selling tomatoes at ₹100 per kg in the markets.
The surge in tomato prices is not only hitting household budgets but also causing widespread discontent among consumers. As tomato is a staple in many Indian households, the rising prices are expected to affect food costs, putting further pressure on consumers already struggling with inflation.
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