By D N Singh
From Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru, from Delhi to Kanpur or Lucknow, the common buzz is Tomato.
Just believe the prices of this ‘saucy’ veg has shot up to the sky breaking its previous records and landing on the common man like jolt from the blue.
No more a humble ingredient of ‘subjis’ but a long forgotten king of chutney, tomato, a versatile fruit that has emptied wallets of lower and middle class which shies away from the red heap.
But in a twist that would make even the most seasoned chef raise their eyebrow, tomatoes have stealthily transformed from kitchen heroes to budget busters across the country.
What’s happening? The prices of tomato across the country has rose from Rs 10-20 per kg to a price of Rs 80-100 per kg within a span of just two to three days, What’s happening? The Hindu reported.
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha has halted buying the stuff and in Vishakapatam and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, the prices of tomatoes have gone up between Rs 90 and Rs 120. What was hovering around Rs 30 has shot up to Rs 100 within days in Bengaluru.
Likewise, in Telangana, tomatoes are priced at Rs 90 and in Kochi and other major parts of Kerala, the prices have hit the century mark. Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and the financial capital Mumbai were also on the list of cities impacted by the sky-high tomato prices, with rates reaching Rs 80 per kg.
Going by the people who belong to the trade the availability of tomatoes has been impacted due to floods and heavy rainfall in significant cultivation regions. Recent rainfall has affected states such as Karnataka, Telangana, and some hilly regions, resulting in crop damage and causing disruptions in the tomato supply chain. The delayed monsoons, high temperatures, and low production have severely impacted tomato prices across India.
Another reason cited out is that, the recent heavy rainfall in various regions of Tamil Nadu has caused significant damage to tomato crops, resulting in a shortage of supply and a staggering increase in prices up to Rs 110.
Why tomato alone the other sought after vegs like brinjal, drumstick, carrot, beetroot, onions, and potatoes have also seen a sharp rise in prices.
Green veg fast disappearing from the dining tables as prices of beans, bitter guard and green chilly have left market experts guessing as the prices of those are all nearing Rs 100 and many at the border of a brow-beat price tag.
So, the impact of skyrocketing tomato prices on household budgets has been quite significant. Especially since tomatoes are a staple ingredient in many Indian dishes, the increase in prices has led to a rise in overall food expenses.
“Tomatoes are an essential ingredient in our daily meals and we rely on them for their nutritional value and flavour. With skyrocketing prices, we have to think twice before adding tomatoes to our shopping list. We are now forced to find alternatives or reduce our consumption, which compromises the taste and variety of our meals” said Rashmita Swain a house maker in Bhubaneswar.
