Price of Tomatoes Skyrocket: Reaches Rs100 Per Kg in Local Markets

There has been a sharp rise in the price of tomatoes in coastal districts. Tomatoes which were available for as low as Rs 15 per kg in the retail market two months ago is now selling for more than Rs 8 to 90 per kg. The prices of tomatoes have touched Rs 100 per kg for first quality tomatoes at malls and supermarkets. The third quality tomatoes which are coming to local markets where the majority of households make purchases are costing Rs 60 to Rs 80/kg.

The rise is due to disruption in supplies from the tomato-growing districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Chitradurga and Bengaluru Rural.

Tomatoes are main ingredients for the local cuisine and middle and lower middle class are forced to prepare dishes and food without them. The middle and lower middle class families, who are running their families with tight budgets, have replaced the tomato with tamarind for preparing food. The hotels have also stopped using the tomatoes and most of them have taken off tomato soup from the menu.