Chandigarh, June 13 — City residents are reeling under a steep surge in tomato prices, with rates more than doubling in less than two weeks due to extreme weather and supply chain disruptions.
From ₹20 per kg at the start of June, tomato prices in Chandigarh’s apni mandis have soared to ₹50 per kg. In retail markets, consumers are paying as much as ₹60 per kg, while premium-quality produce is touching ₹80 per kg, according to vendors and officials.
“This spike is primarily due to strong winds and an intense heatwave that have severely impacted local production in Punjab,” said Komal Sharma, in-charge of the apni mandi under the Punjab Mandi Board. “Tomatoes are highly perishable, and the quality of produce has dropped significantly. The supply has shrunk, and only top-grade tomatoes are fetching higher prices.”
Chandigarh typically sources most of its tomato supply from neighboring Punjab. However, erratic weather and a shortage of agricultural labour have disrupted harvesting and transport operations, contributing to a sharp drop in availability.
“With the local crop ending and hill-state supplies just starting to arrive, the pressure on prices is likely to continue. Other vegetables could also become costlier in the coming weeks,” Sharma added.
Despite the price pinch on tomatoes, staples such as onions and potatoes remain affordable. Onion prices have held steady at ₹25 per kg, while potatoes are selling at ₹20 per kg in wholesale markets.
Interestingly, some vegetables are being sold at notably lower prices compared to last year, thanks to increased local output and favourable growing conditions earlier in the season.
“Lady finger, bottle gourd, and brinjal are nearly 40% cheaper than in June last year,” Sharma pointed out. “Right now, lady finger is retailing at ₹40 per kg, down from ₹70 last year. Capsicum and bottle gourd are priced at ₹60 and ₹50 per kg, respectively.”
Vendors say the price drop in several vegetables has helped cushion the blow for consumers grappling with the spike in tomato costs. Still, they worry that if hill-state harvests are delayed or hit by erratic rains, further price instability could follow.
The tomato shock has reignited conversations about the volatility of perishable vegetable markets, which remain highly vulnerable to weather patterns and labour fluctuations. For now, Chandigarh residents may need to adjust their kitchen budgets until tomato supply normalizes.
