Bengaluru residents are once again feeling the pinch as tomato prices surge sharply across markets in the city. Just weeks after prices had dipped to manageable levels, tomatoes have climbed back into the expensive bracket, throwing household budgets off balance.
The sudden rise has also triggered fears of prices crossing the Rs 100 mark soon. Tomatoes, a staple in most Indian kitchens, have seen one of the steepest month-on-month jumps in recent times.
From Rs 37 to Rs 80 in 30 Days
According to retail market data, the average price of tomatoes in Bengaluru has shot up to Rs 80 per kg. Just a month ago, consumers were buying tomatoes at around Rs 30 per kg, marking an increase of more than double in only 30 days.
Over the last 8–10 days, prices
have been steadily rising across the city. At HOPCOMS outlets, good quality tomatoes are being sold at Rs 80 per kg, while street vendors in many areas are quoting prices as high as Rs 90 to 100 per kg, depending on quality and locality.
For many households, this has meant sudden changes in daily cooking choices.
Why Tomato Supply to Bengaluru Has Reduced
Traders and market officials say the price surge is being driven primarily by supply shortages. Tomato supplies to Bengaluru have dropped significantly due to a combination of weather-related disruptions and crop damage.
The city largely depends on tomato arrivals from Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara and even Maharashtra’s Nashik region. In recent weeks, unseasonal rainfall in these areas has affected harvesting and transport, leading to lower daily arrivals in wholesale markets.
Farmers have also reported crop losses due to disease outbreaks triggered by excess moisture, further reducing the overall yield.
Key Reasons Behind the Tomato Price Hike
Market experts point to multiple compounding factors behind the rise in tomato prices:
- Supply is not keeping pace with demand
• Unseasonal rain has damaged standing crops
• Overall yield has dropped in several growing belts
• Crop diseases have reduced market-ready produce
• Lack of adequate cold storage facilities worsens shortages
With limited storage options, tomatoes cannot be held back during surplus periods, making prices extremely sensitive to sudden supply shocks.
Could Tomato Prices Cross Rs 100?
The trend is not limited to Bengaluru alone. Tomato prices have increased across several states, raising concerns that the situation could worsen soon.
Recent retail prices show tomatoes selling at Rs 96 per kg in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rs 92 in Mizoram, Rs 80 in Delhi, Rs 78 in Manipur and Rs 71 in Sikkim. Given this trend, traders believe Bengaluru’s tomato prices may cross more than Rs 100 per kg if supplies do not improve in the coming days.
Much will depend on weather conditions and fresh arrivals from producing regions.
Other Vegetables Also Get Costlier
The rising trend is not restricted to tomatoes. Prices of several other vegetables have also gone up across Bengaluru markets.
Current average prices include broccoli at Rs 170 per kg, green beans at Rs 50, penny beans at Rs 48, capsicum at Rs 80, coconut at Rs 70 per kg, mango at Rs 56, gooseberry at Rs 70, banana at Rs 32, lemon at Rs 58, cauliflower at Rs 60, spinach at Rs 20, methi at Rs 22 and pumpkin at Rs 54.
The overall rise has added pressure on household grocery budgets, especially for middle-class families and small eateries.
What Consumers Can Expect Next
Traders say prices may stabilise only once fresh harvests arrive and rainfall reduces. Until then, volatility is expected to continue, particularly for tomatoes.
For Bengaluru consumers, the sudden spike is another reminder of how closely daily food prices are tied to weather patterns, supply chains and storage limitations — and how quickly relief can turn into renewed strain.
