Tomato Prices Soaring, May Reach Rs 300/kg; Household Budgets Under Strain

In recent days, the price of tomatoes has been witnessing a relentless surge, raising concerns about its impact on household budgets. Mother Dairy, a prominent retail chain, sold tomatoes in Delhi at Rs 259 per kilogram on Wednesday, and though there was a minor reduction to Rs 249 per kg today, the overall trend remains alarming.

Wholesale traders are now warning that the tomato prices may skyrocket to an astonishing Rs 300 per kilogram in the coming days. However, the issue is not limited to tomatoes alone, as all other vegetables are also experiencing a price hike, creating further strain on household budgets.

The wholesale market has been grappling with substantial losses, as the demand for tomatoes, capsicum, and other seasonal vegetables has seen a drastic increase. For instance, the wholesale price of tomatoes has already surged from Rs 160 per kilo to Rs 220 per kilo.

The escalation in prices has been compounded by heavy rainfall in key producing regions, leading to supply disruptions and transportation difficulties. The scarcity of vegetables in the market has further fueled the price surge.

The situation is particularly concerning at Azadpur Mandi, Asia's largest wholesale fruits and vegetables market, where tomato prices ranged from Rs 170 to Rs 220 per kg on Wednesday, depending on the quality.

The government has attempted to intervene by selling tomatoes at subsidized rates since July 14, but the impact has been limited, and retail prices have begun to rise again due to short supply. This scarcity has left vendors struggling to sell their produce, and customers are hesitating to purchase vegetables like tomatoes, capsicum, cauliflower, and cabbage due to the soaring prices.

With wholesale traders warning of potential further deterioration, households may soon face even greater challenges in managing their budgets amidst these surging vegetable prices.