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As monsoon approaches, local residents have started feeling the heat of skyrocketing tomato prices.
Tomatoes which were sold at Rs 25 to 30 per kilogram are now being sold at Rs 80 to 100 per kilogram in Chandigarh and Panchkula. On enquiry, vendors and retailers blamed wholesalers for not providing a good amount and wholesalers held monsoon responsible.
“We can sell onions for Rs 30 per kilo but experiencing the dearth of tomatoes, we are forced to sell them at least Rs 80 per kilo,” said Rakesh Yadav, a vegetable vendor.
Brij Mohan, President, Sabji Mandi Arthiya Association said, “This hike is not surprising to us at all. We see this surge every year around July and it lasts till September, until the rain abates. Last week tomatoes were sold at Rs 200-400 per crate and this week for Rs 1200-1300 per crate.”
According to Mohan, Himachal Pradesh will become the sole provider of tomatoes in the coming monsoon as plain areas like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, etc, would not be able to yield tomatoes well. “Plain fields hold standing monsoon water which spoils the crop. Himachal being a hilly state can provide tomatoes to the entire nation,” said Mohan.
Buying tomatoes at Rs 80 to 100 per kg is also rattling the daily lives of housewives in Chandigarh and Panchkula. “We bought one kilogram of tomatoes at Rs 80 and now a week later, we purchased it at Rs 100. I am trying to cut back on the usage of tomatoes per dish or using alternatives such as purees”, said Pinki, a Panchkula resident.
On enquiring with more households, some shared their experience of purchasing tomatoes at a reasonable rate. “I am a working husband and I purchase vegetables around 6-7 pm. I bought two kilogram tomatoes at Rs 50 from the Tuesday Mandi here at Sector 5 Panchkula. My household will be running out of tomatoes soon and hopefully I will take advantage of nighttime and purchase my vegetables at a good price again.” Says Sanjeev, a Panchkula resident.
Hikes in tomato prices have affected local restaurants as well. “Our rate on dishes is fixed. But we cannot deny the loss we are incurring because of tomato prices. This is not surprising as we experience it every year and business must go on”, says Ram, a chef at a local diner.
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