Tomato Price Hike Disrupts Kitchen Budgets, Production Hit by Extreme Heat

Following the rise in onion prices, tomatoes have now disrupted kitchen budgets. In the past month, tomato prices have nearly doubled. Tomatoes, which were selling for Rs 40 to 50 per kg a month ago, are now priced at Rs 70-80 per kg. In Delhi-NCR, they are being sold at Rs 70-80 per kg. According to the Price Monitoring Division of the Consumer Affairs Department, the average retail price of tomatoes across the country is Rs 58.25 per kg, about 64 percent higher than the Rs 35.39 price from a month ago.

The major reasons for the increase in tomato prices are severe heat and heatwaves. The intense heat has affected tomato crops over the past month, leading to reduced supply from major tomato-producing states and a rapid increase in prices. However, tomatoes are still cheaper than last year when prices soared above Rs 150 per kg. Traders believe prices will not rise as high this year and are expected to decrease once the new crop arrives.

Farmers are getting 25 to 30 rupees per kg

Despite the market prices reaching Rs 70-80 per kg, farmers are receiving only Rs 25 to 30 per kg. The production cost of tomatoes is Rs 20 to 22 per kg. Farmers state that while prices increase annually, they do not see significant profits due to middlemen. They do get some relief when prices rise, but this is limited to a few months each year.

Reasons for Rising Tomato Prices

India's major tomato-producing states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and southern states, have seen a decline in production due to the severe heat in April and May. Heatwaves have damaged tomato crops in many areas. Shriram Gadhve, President of the Bharatiya Sabzi Utpadak Sangh, told Rural Voice that 80 percent of production in Maharashtra has been affected due to the heat in April-May. Excessive heat has led to pest infestations, and for the past three years, russet mite, whitefly, and virus infections have continually reduced arrivals. 

The situation is similar in South India, where crops were initially affected by heat and are now being spoiled by rain, impacting the supply to North India. Consequently, tomato prices in North India are higher than in Maharashtra and South India, where they are selling for up to Rs 50 per kg.

Future Price Trends

Continuous rain in Himachal has also affected the supply of tomatoes to North India, contributing to the price increase. Gadhve mentioned that last year prices reached Rs 200 per kg, but this year they are not expected to rise as much. With the reduction in heat, the new crop is anticipated to arrive in the market in the next 40 to 50 days, which should lead to a decrease in prices.