Chennai Tomato Prices Skyrocket: What's Causing The Surge?

Residents of Tamil Nadu were left astounded as the price of tomatoes surged threefold within a week, leaving many struggling to cope with the sudden spike in essential vegetable costs.

In the state capital, many were shocked by the sudden rise in the price of tomatoes, which were selling for 20-25 rupees per kilogram in the state capital just last week.

At the Koyambedu wholesale market, the price increased to Rs 60 per kilogram on Sunday, marking a Rs 40 hike from its previous rate of Rs 20.

The sharp rise was attributed to rain-induced damage to the produce, leading to supply chain disruptions. Hybrid tomatoes saw a significant increase, now priced at Rs 70 per kilogram compared to Rs 30 the previous week.

Local vendors explained that adverse weather conditions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which collectively supply 75 percent of the region's tomatoes, contributed to the price surge. "The recent rainfall has impacted tomato cultivation, leading to a surge in prices. Tomatoes have suffered damage across various regions. Additionally, 75 percent of the supply originates from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where the monsoon arrived earlier than usual," said a local vendor.

People says that this trend will impact on consumers from low-income backgrounds as tomatoes are a staple ingredient in daily cooking, especially for curry dishes in Tamil Nadu.

The prices on online platforms such as Zepto and Swiggy Instamart are as follows: Indian tomatoes were priced at Rs 90, hybrid tomatoes at Rs 108, organic certified tomatoes at approximately Rs 190, and cherry tomatoes at around Rs 200.