Since the beginning of June, tomato prices have increased dramatically, on average by 85–90%. Prices have doubled or tripled in a lot of places. In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, prices exceeded 120 rupees per kilogramme. The most significant price increase among major cities was in Ahmedabad, where prices increased from an average of 22 per kg on June 1 to 80 per kg on June 27. Prices in Delhi increased from comparable levels to almost $60. Hyderabad has experienced the smallest increase in prices (23%) among the major cities so far in June.
Tomato production is anticipated to slightly decrease from 20.69 million tonnes the previous year to 20.62 million tonnes in 2022–23, according to government data. While consumers anticipate stabilisation and respite in the next days as the weather gets better, the tomato industry is still struggling with the present price increase.
Anil Malhotra, a member of the Azadpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), emphasised that the present price spike is unique even though tomato prices typically rise during the monsoon season. “Prices go up every year during the monsoon, but the cost of tomatoes has never gone up this high,” Malhotra said. The rains have caused a significant decrease in supply. We purchased our merchandise from Himachal Pradesh, and about half of it was destroyed.
