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300% rise in tomato prices in Ludhiana sends household budget for a toss
The prices have reached ₹100 per kg from ₹25 per kg, burning a hole in residents’ pockets with many saying that it has affected their household budget to a great extent
The price of tomatoes has seen a jump of 300% in the past 10 days, reaching a price of ₹100 per kg in local vegetable markets from ₹25 per kg and burning a hole in residents’ pockets with many saying that it has affected their household budget to a great extent.
Explaining the surge in prices, Rishu Arora, the vice president of the new vegetable market, said “The primary reasons behind this surge are the increasing temperatures, which have led to the discontinuation of local tomato supplies, and the adverse effects of the monsoons on tomato supplies from the mountains.”
Adding to the worries of consumers, the prices of cauliflower and peas have also witnessed an increase. These vegetables, too, come from Himachal Pradesh, and due to recent landslides in the region, the supply has been severely disrupted. Cauliflower prices have shot up by ₹20 per kg and are now being sold at ₹45 per kg. Similarly, the prices of peas have reached ₹45 per kg, which were previously available at ₹25.
Arora highlighted that the ongoing monsoon season has wreaked havoc on the transportation and logistics networks, making it extremely challenging to bring tomatoes from mountainous regions to the markets. The heavy rains and landslides have disrupted the supply chain, causing significant delays and shortages in the availability of tomatoes.
The skyrocketing tomato prices have left many consumers grappling with the impact on their household budgets. It was only a short while ago that tomatoes were available at a relatively affordable price of ₹30 per kg.
Birinder Singh Sidhu, the district mandi officer, said, “The prices of tomatoes have risen due to the local production being affected by high temperatures, and the supply from the mountains has been disrupted due to landslides and the monsoon season.”
Rupinder Kaur, resident of Shimlapuri area, “It has really taken a toll on our household budget. Just a couple of weeks ago, we could easily buy tomatoes for ₹25 per kg, but now it’s a whopping ₹100. It’s four times the price we used to pay. This sudden surge has put a strain on our finances. Tomatoes are such a staple in our meals, but now we have to think twice before adding them to our shopping cart.”
Gurmeet Kaur resident of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, said, “Tomatoes are a part of our daily cooking. This unexpected increase has forced us to reconsider our grocery list and make some compromises. We can no longer use tomatoes as generously as we used to, and it’s disappointing. It’s frustrating to see such an essential ingredient become so expensive overnight.”
