Bengaluru, often called the Garden City, is currently grappling with a soaring cost of living, with vegetable prices reaching alarming new highs. The most prominent and painful increase is seen in the price of tomatoes, a daily staple, which is now retailing at ₹60 to ₹74 per kilogram in many parts of the city. This sudden spike, which has seen prices jump drastically in a matter of weeks, is straining the monthly budgets of families and restaurateurs alike.
Why the Price Shock?
The primary culprit behind this price surge is erratic weather and supply disruption. Key agricultural regions in Karnataka and neighboring states like Maharashtra, which are major suppliers to Bangalore’s markets, have been hit by excessive and unseasonal rainfall in the preceding months.
- Crop Damage: The heavy rains have severely damaged the fragile tomato crop in the fields, leading to a massive reduction in yield and, consequently, lower market arrivals.
- Logistics Bottlenecks: Transportation and logistics have also been severely affected, making it difficult to move the remaining harvested produce to the city's wholesale markets, such as Binny Mill and KR Market.
- High Demand: Compounding the supply shortage is the elevated demand driven by the ongoing wedding and festive season in the country, keeping market prices firm and high.
Beyond the Tomato
The price volatility is not limited to just tomatoes. The cascading effect of weather-related losses and supply shortages has pushed up the prices of several other common vegetables.
| Vegetable | Approximate Retail Price (per kg) |
| Tomato | ₹60 - ₹74 |
| French Beans | ₹60 - ₹66 |
| Carrot | ₹48 - ₹53 |
| Drumsticks | ₹50+ (Highly volatile, sometimes much higher) |
Impact on Bengaluru Residents
The dramatic price rise has forced many Bengaluru households to rethink their cooking habits and cut down on consumption of essential vegetables. Residents report that their weekly grocery bills have shot up significantly, making meal planning a daily challenge. Small eateries and food businesses, which rely heavily on staples like tomatoes and onions, are struggling to manage their costs, with many considering increasing menu prices.
Consumers and traders are hoping for a quick stabilization of supply as weather conditions improve, but for now, the soaring vegetable prices continue to be a bitter pill for the city's residents.
