The price of the everyday staple (tomatoes) has risen sharply in recent weeks, reaching around 200 rupees (£2; $3) per kilo in some parts of India, a significant increase from the typical 40-50 rupees.
The pricey tomato has caused turmoil in households, kitchens, and even on the streets.
McDonald’s recently made headlines for deleting tomatoes from its menu in majority of its shops in northern and eastern India, rather than adding a new item. It claimed a lack of high-quality tomatoes “due to seasonal crop issues” as the cause.
The skyrocketing prices have been particularly hard on India’s middle and lower classes, who make up the bulk of the population.
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Violent Altercation in Pune and Bouncers Hired in Varanasi for Tomatoes
A vegetable salesman in the western city of Pune allegedly struck a customer in the face with a weighing scale after they argued over the price of 250g of tomatoes. In India’s holiest city Varanasi, a politician reportedly hired two bouncers to prevent people from haggling over tomato prices at his shop.
There have been reports of people stealing tomatoes from fields and hijacking tomato-laden trucks.
According to experts, harsh weather has destroyed crops, causing market shortages and a mismatch between demand and supply. The administration has stated that the rising prices are a “temporary problem” that will be corrected in the coming months.
To assist consumers, some states have begun selling tomatoes at lower costs through government-run or farmer-backed businesses. The Indian government sponsored a Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon in Delhi on June 30 to encourage the public to offer ideas to address rising prices.
The tomato wields tremendous power in Indian cuisine, appearing in nearly every dish. As a result, when it gets scarce and costly, it becomes the focus of headlines and even political squabbles.
According to economists, the sharp price increase might upset India’s delicate inflation equilibrium, driving retail inflation to 5.5% in July-September from 4-5% in April and May.
Ironically, farmers in India threw boxes of tomatoes on the road about two months ago as wholesale prices fell to 2-3 rupees per kilo as supply outstripped demand.
Farmers resorted to the same measure last year to draw attention to their plight and, in March, farmers in Maharashtra state took out a protest march to demand higher prices for onions.