Monsoon impact: Tomato prices soar to Rs 90 per kg in Delhi as supplies hit

New Delhi , 10 July 2024 :- The surge in tomato prices in Delhi can be attributed to multiple factors exacerbated by the recent monsoon rains. The heavy rains have disrupted the supply chain, affecting transportation and damaging crops. As a result, the number of trucks transporting tomatoes from major producing states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh has decreased significantly.

In the major wholesale markets of Delhi, such as Azadpur mandi, Ghazipur mandi, and Okhla sabzi mandi, the wholesale prices of tomatoes have risen from Rs 28 per kg to as high as Rs 50 per kg. This increase in wholesale prices has translated to retail prices reaching up to Rs 90 per kg in local markets.

Tomatoes, being highly perishable, are particularly susceptible to spoilage, especially during the rainy season. This further impacts their availability and drives prices higher.

Additionally, the Crisil monthly food price report highlights that the cost of home-cooked vegetarian thali has increased by 10% year-on-year due to the surge in prices of essential vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The report attributes these increases to various factors, including a significant drop in rabi onion acreage, reduced potato crop yield due to unseasonal rainfall, and virus infestation in the tomato summer crop.

The combination of weather-related disruptions, supply chain challenges, and crop damage has led to the current spike in tomato prices in Delhi.