Gurgaon: Tomato prices in Gurgaon have doubled over the past week from Rs 35-40 per kilo to Rs 80, forcing many households to cut back on the kitchen staple.Vegetable vendors and wholesalers attribute the price rise to reduced arrivals from major tomato-growing belts as well as transportation and harvesting challenges caused by adverse weather-related disruptions.“The supply coming to the wholesale market has dropped significantly over the last few days, but the demand remains steady, pushing up prices,” said a wholesale trader at the city’s vegetable market.The increase has come as a shock to many households. “We were buying 1-2kg at a time earlier, but now we are purchasing only half a kilogram. Tomatoes are an essential ingredient, but at Rs 80 per kg, we have to rethink our monthly budget,” said Sunita Sharma, a resident of Sector 56.Rajesh Kumar from Palam Vihar said families were already struggling with inflation. “As it is, the prices of several vegetables are high. When tomatoes become this expensive, the impact is felt in every kitchen,” he said.Yaduraj Yadav, secretary of Khandsa Village Vegetable Market, said an increase in the arrival of green vegetables to the mandi had helped keep prices stable. “The prices of most vegetables remain under control because supplies are sufficient. Tomatoes are the only exception,” he said.He added fresh vegetables were supplied to Gurgaon from UP, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well.Despite the cut in supply, and therefore spike in prices, of tomatoes, the city’s wholesale markets are currently receiving approximately 9,000 to 11,000 quintals of fruits and vegetables every day, ensuring adequate availability of most produce.
