Price Surge Puts Residents in a Bind as Tomato and Cauliflower Rates Soar

In Chandigarh, vegetable prices, particularly tomatoes and cauliflower, are skyrocketing due to a shortage of supply. The cost of tomatoes, a kitchen staple, is currently ranging between Rs 250 to Rs 300 per kilogram. Cauliflower prices are also hovering in the same range.

Vegetable wholesalers have warned residents to anticipate further price hikes in the coming days due to the limited supply. The recent crop damage and road closures caused by heavy rainfall have disrupted the supply chain.

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Not only are tomatoes scarce, but markets have also run out of the alternative option of ready-made tomato puree. The stock of tomato puree has depleted in major local outlets, leaving both vendors and consumers struggling. Wholesalers are willing to pay any amount for tomato puree, but even the companies supplying it are unable to meet the demand.

Local residents express concern over the absence of tomatoes in their kitchens, with little hope for their return in the near future. The growers have been significantly affected by this situation. In the Sector 26 vegetable market, on Tuesday, cauliflower and tomatoes were being sold at Rs 200 per kilogram, while bottle gourd and zucchini were traded at prices ranging around Rs 100 per kilogram, depending on the quality.

Rates go through the roof

Cauliflower and tomatoes were priced at Rs 200 per kilogram in the Sector 26 vegetable market on Tuesday, while bottle gourd and zucchini were available for Rs 100 per kilogram. On Wednesday, the rates of other vegetables remained unchanged, even though there was no rainfall in the city.

Deepak, a vegetable wholesaler, cautioned residents to anticipate a future increase in the prices of cauliflower and tomatoes.