Tomatoes At 160 Rs Per Kg : Competing with Gold And Petrol In Terms Of Prices

Tomato prices in Bengaluru have risen up to Rs. 100 per kg which has literally made it as expensive as petrol itself. The prices have actually risen Rs. 100 in wholesales and even Rs. 120 in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.In some markets tomatoes are even priced at rs 160 per kg. 

According to farmers, this sudden hike in prices is due to the incessant November rains which have actually plagued the southern states of India. Farmers complain that standing crop has been damaged in most parts of the state of Karnataka

The Rains have also affected the quality of the Tomatoes as nowadays after purchasing the costly vegetable, homemakers are confronted with worms, decaying inner layers, and odour, and are obliged to discard it. These costs are predicted to rise more if the rain persists. However, depending on the location, prices in the retail market are Rs 4-5 more — it costs Rs 100 in malls, and good quality tomatoes are sold for Rs 100 even on the side of the road in some sections of Bengaluru.

"The weekly budget is fluctuating because of rising prices of essential kitchen items. Not just tomatoes, all items cost more, making it difficult to cook a proper meal," said a homemaker.Muniraj, from APMC Market, Kolar, said prices drop when there is no rain, and the crop is good too. This time, crops were damaged in Tiptur, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapur and most parts of Karnataka.  Kolar and Chikkaballapur which were affected the most are also considered to be the districts from where most of Bengaluru’s vegetables come, so it’s a huge disaster.

Hotel associations have been holding discussions to raise prices at restaurants due to the rise in the cost of vegetables, pulses and LPG. After much deliberation, most of them hiked rates by 5-15 per cent.

This price hike has not only affected the Tomatoes but has also affected the prices of the cooking oil. Last year, before the first lockdown, cooking oil cost Rs 1,300 for 15 litres, and now costs over Rs 2,500. It’s the same case for coffee powder. Most vegetables are not available because of the rain, so prices have increased, said Veerendra Kamat, Secretary, Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association.