Tomato prices skyrocket in B’luru due to scorching summer

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Tomatoes, the delicious and nutritious vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, have become an integral part of almost every Indian dish.

In every Indian household, tomatoes are a daily necessity, making it surprising that this year brings a notable change. Kamala (name changed), who regularly buys tomatoes for her family of six, was taken aback by the exorbitant price quoted for a kilogram of tomatoes at her local store.

In response to the shopkeeper's staggering offer of Rs 100 per kg, she retorted, “I asked for the price of one kilogram of tomatoes, not your entire store!” In Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, tomato prices are witnessing a significant surge, attributable to various factors.

Farmers reveal that this year, the scorching summer resulted in the demise of numerous tomato saplings during their early stages, including the flowers and baby tomatoes. Srirama Raddy, a tomato farmer in Hosur, expressed his concern, stating, “This summer, our production has dropped to a mere 30%.

Typically, we experience a 20% crop loss during this season, but the figures have worsened, leaving us with only 20% of the usual yield.” He further added that during the first week of June, tomatoes were sold to vendors for a modest price range of Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kilogram. However, the current scenario has driven up the cost to Rs 50 to Rs 55 per kg for vendors.

A wholesale tomato vendor at KR Market said, “Just twenty days ago, we were selling one kilogram of tomatoes at a wholesale price of Rs 30, which would ultimately reach the consumers for Rs 40 or Rs 45. However, due to surging demand and limited supply, we are now forced to sell tomatoes at Rs 80, projecting that consumers might have to pay between Rs 100 and Rs 120 per kilogram.”

In a bid to prevent his tomatoes from rotting during the monsoon and boost his sales, a local vegetable vendor resorted to selling one kilogram of tomatoes at Rs 100, while offering 2.5 kilograms at Rs 200. Concerns loom among several local vendors as they anticipate further price hikes during the upcoming monsoon season.

Nonetheless, Velu Naicker, a tomato farmer, remains optimistic, believing that within the next two months leading up to September, they can recover the yield, subsequently reducing tomato prices from mid-July. Observations from e-commerce platforms specialising in fruit and vegetable sales indicate that tomato prices have escalated by Rs 20 to Rs 30 in a matter of days, varying based on the tomato variety.

In the past week alone, tomato prices have soared by 80% due to a scarcity in supply caused by scorching summer heat, resulting in a significant drop in yield. At KR Market and HOPCOM stalls, customers were observed stockpiling tomatoes, driven by the shared anticipation of price hikes in Bengaluru.

Even supermarkets across the city witnessed a surge in tomato purchases by customers. While other vegetables such as brinjal, beans, and carrots have also experienced price increases due to the summer season, tomatoes have seen a steep rise in prices. Inadequate rainfall and high temperatures have contributed to this situation.

Farmers in Karnataka express their grievances, highlighting that only those who can afford greenhouse farming have managed to salvage their tomato crops, while others suffered losses as their plants withered during the sapling or flowering stage. On the bright side, the prices of onions and potatoes remain relatively affordable.