Tomato prices rise sharply, touch Rs 80 per kg as heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh hit supply

Tomato prices have surged to Rs 80 per kg in some retail markets, fueled by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh that damaged the road network, thus reducing supply to major consumption centers. According to the consumer affairs ministry's price monitoring division, the daily average retail price of tomatoes reached Rs 55 per kg on July 3, up from Rs 35 a month ago.
According to an ET report, last year, a similar situation caused by heavy rainfall and flash floods resulted in tomato prices soaring past Rs 350 per kg in some retail markets.This situation even led to the north India operator of fast-food chain McDonald's temporarily ceasing the use of tomatoes in some outlets due to insufficient quantities meeting their quality specifications.
Monsoon seasons typically cause vegetable prices to spike as rainfall impacts harvesting, including plucking and packaging. Moreover, transport disruptions lead to increased vegetable wastage, further affecting prices.
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Interestingly, tomato prices began to rise in June this year, especially in southern India, as extreme heatwave conditions adversely impacted horticulture crops in large parts of the country.
The disruption in supply due to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has been a significant factor for the rise in tomato prices. Manoj Kumar, a vegetable trader at Azadpur Mandi wholesale market, stated, "The supply from Himachal has gone down after heavy rainfall," adding that prices are expected to rise even higher.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in several tomato-growing regions of Himachal Pradesh until July 7, which could exacerbate the situation by further inflating prices. "The monsoon trough is north of its normal position at mean sea level and a cyclonic circulation lies over Himachal Pradesh," IMD said in its weather forecast for the state, warning that this could lead to landslides and mudslides that would disrupt roadways and traffic.
In addition to transportation issues, heavy rainfall poses risks to horticulture and standing crops, which can suffer damage due to flooding, according to the weather office.