The Tomato Price Surge: Unveiling the Nationwide Ripple Effect from Delhi to Karnataka

The surge in tomato prices across multiple states in India has become a matter of concern for households as heavy seasonal rains arrive. In several states, the price of tomatoes has skyrocketed to over Rs 100 per kg, significantly impacting household budgets. However, the central government has reassured citizens that the price hike is a temporary seasonal phenomenon and expects rates to stabilize soon.

Tomato prices have witnessed a staggering 200% increase in Karnataka over the past week, soaring from Rs 40 per kilo in the third week of May to Rs 125 per kilo this week. Similarly, in Delhi, tomato prices at Mother Dairy's Safal stores have doubled, reaching nearly Rs 80 per kg in just one week. Vegetable vendors in Paschim Vihar, West Delhi, have observed a gradual increase in prices from Rs 25-30 per kg in mid-June to the current rate of Rs 80 per kg.

The biggest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables in the country, Azadpur, has also experienced a sharp rise in tomato prices. In Madhya Pradesh, the prices have surged to Rs 110 per kg. According to data from the Department of Consumer Affairs, the average price of tomatoes across India is Rs 46 per kg as of June 27. The modal price stands at Rs 50 per kg, while the maximum price reported is Rs 122 per kg. In the four metros, the retail prices of tomatoes are as follows: Delhi - Rs 60 per kg, Mumbai - Rs 42 per kg, Kolkata - Rs 75 per kg, and Chennai - Rs 67 per kg. In other major cities, prices range from Rs 52 per kg in Bengaluru to Rs 99-100 per kg in Raipur and Bhubaneshwar.

Wholesale dealers attribute the price rise to heavy rainfall in various regions of North India, causing damage to tomato crops and reducing their availability. Additionally, factors such as heatwaves, delayed rainfall, and farmers' reluctance to grow tomatoes due to crashing prices in early May have contributed to the disruption in output. The ongoing monsoon season has resulted in a seasonal transition for tomato crops, with rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand impacting the crop and limiting its supply.

Anil Malhotra, a member of the Azadpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), noted that tomato prices tend to rise during the monsoon season but have never reached such high levels before. He explained that the heavy rains led to a significant dip in supply, with approximately half of the stock obtained from Himachal Pradesh being damaged. Currently, tomatoes are only being supplied from Maharashtra, as Rajasthan has halted its supply due to crop damages caused by rains.

In Karnataka, the shortage of tomatoes is attributed to crop losses resulting from the spread of the 'white fly' disease. Farmers who had faced losses over the past two years made the decision not to cultivate tomatoes and switched to other vegetables instead. The perishable nature of tomatoes has further impacted their availability in the market.

While the rise in tomato prices has stirred public concern, the central government has assured citizens that it is a temporary issue and prices will soon stabilize. Rohit Kumar Singh, the consumer affairs secretary, explained that tomatoes are highly perishable, and transportation is affected in areas experiencing sudden rains. Singh emphasized that the price surge occurs annually during this time and will subside soon. Government data indicates a slight decline in tomato production, estimated at 20.62 million tonnes in 2022-23 compared to 20.69 million tonnes in the previous year.

The surge in tomato prices prompted criticism from the Congress party, with Jairam Ramesh, the party's general secretary, highlighting the central government's failure to address the issue. Ramesh sarcastically referred

 to the Prime Minister's emphasis on Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP) priority and criticized the policies that have led to tomatoes being wasted on the roads and sold at Rs 100 per kg. The Congress has consistently urged the government to take action and provide relief to the common people in light of rising prices of essential commodities.