In Chandigarh’s apni mandis, tomato prices have doubled in just two weeks, soaring from ₹30 per kg on June 21 to ₹60 per kg on July 3, with some retailers charging as much as ₹70 per kg. The sudden spike is attributed to adverse weather conditions affecting local tomato production in Punjab. Harpreet Singh, a supervisor at the Punjab Mandi Board in Chandigarh, noted that high temperatures and untimely rains have halted local production earlier than usual, typically extending till July end. Consequently, tomatoes are now being sourced from neighboring states, causing further price increases.
Singh explained, “When local production stops, we turn to hilly areas for tomatoes, driving prices up sharply. A crate of tomatoes, weighing approximately 24 kg, is currently priced around ₹1,200 at the apni mandi.” Comparatively, last year saw prices peak at ₹250 per kg, and while forecasts expect prices to rise, they are anticipated to remain below ₹100 per kg. However, fluctuating supplies from other states may escalate costs further.
Amidst these fluctuations, the prices of potatoes and onions have held steady at ₹30 per kg and ₹45 per kg, respectively. Meanwhile, other vegetables sourced from hilly regions have also seen price hikes: capsicum is selling at ₹90 per kg, brinjal at ₹60 per kg, and bottle gourd at ₹90 per kg. Coriander prices have surged to ₹160 per kg due to susceptibility to rainfall, while garlic and ginger are being sold at ₹180 per kg and ₹240 per kg, respectively. Lemon prices have also risen sharply, reaching ₹100 per kg.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by Chandigarh’s consumers and retailers as they navigate through the impact of weather disruptions on local produce and the consequent reliance on external sources.
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