Bhubaneswar:Tomato prices in the capital city have touched the 80 per kg mark in retail markets, causing concern for local households. While winter usually brings a dip in vegetable costs, this year has seen a contra-seasonal surge due to severe supply disruptions from major producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Vegetable markets have witnessed a sharp spike in tomato prices this week with the kitchen staple now retailing at 80 per kg. This sudden surge has disrupted household budgets during the peak winter season when vegetable prices typically remain lower due to higher arrivals.
The current price hike is attributed to a combination of localized and national factors. Traders at the Unit 1 Market in Bhubaneswar report that unseasonal and prolonged rainfall until late October left many farmlands waterlogged, delaying the planting of the local rabi crop. While Odisha is a major producer, its local harvest typically reaches peak volume between January and March. Currently, the state is heavily dependent on supplies from Maharashtra and Karnataka. However, these states have also faced supply disruptions due to erratic weather and logistical delays, leading to a significant drop in truck arrivals.
Historically, the highest retail rate for tomatoes in Odisha was recorded in July 2023, when prices reached a staggering 150 per kg in several urban centers including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Similar spikes were seen in 2017 when rates crossed 120 per kg. These past record highs were largely caused by severe crop damage in southern India due to extreme heat followed by heavy monsoon rains.
Local market observers expect some relief for consumers within the next two to three weeks as the fresh local harvest from districts like Nayagarh and Keonjhar begins to arrive in the markets, which should help stabilize prices closer to the usual winter range.