Tomato prices surge past Rs 100 amid rains & supply issues

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Tomato prices, which were previously ranging from Rs 79 to Rs 90, have now  surpassed the Rs 100 mark on online grocery platforms.

This sharp increase comes as heavy rains continue to affect tomato-producing regions around Bengaluru, raising concerns that prices may climb even higher. Last year, tomato prices spiked to a staggering Rs 200 per kilogram in July, only to plummet to Rs 15 per kilogram two months later.

Currently, online grocery stores are listing tomatoes between Rs 100 and Rs 104 per kilogram, and retail prices are expected to rise accordingly. Experts attribute the current price surge to a combination of factors, including persistent rainfall, plant diseases, and a significant decline in tomato yield.

Kolar, a major tomato cultivation hub in Karnataka with the cultivated land spanning about 15,000 acres, plays a crucial role in supplying tomatoes not only to local markets but also to northern states and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh.

According to sources from the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yard, around 90 per cent of the tomatoes produced in Kolar are exported. However, severe weather conditions damaging early crops in northern states have led to an increased demand for Kolar tomatoes, further driving up prices.

As the weather continues to impact tomato production, consumers should brace for potentially higher prices in both online and retail markets.