Heavy Rains & Crop Damage Lead to Scarcity and Soaring Costs

CHANDIGARH: Heavy rains, floods, and landslides in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have wreaked havoc on the vegetable market, leading to a scarcity of produce and soaring prices. The common man is feeling the pinch, particularly when it comes to tomatoes. In Chandigarh Mandi, the retail price of tomatoes has reached an unprecedented Rs 350-Rs 400 per kilogram, making it the highest in the country.

Brijmohan, the head of the Sector-26 Vegetable Market Aarti Association, explained that the tomato crop has suffered significant damage in the fields due to the heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The inclement weather prevented farmers from working in the fields, and the closure of roads hindered the transportation of goods to Chandigarh. As a result, prices of various vegetables, including tomatoes, have skyrocketed.

On Thursday, the retail price of tomatoes in the market ranged from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kilogram, while in other metro cities across the country, tomatoes were sold at retail prices of Rs 140 to Rs 150 per kilogram. The wholesale price of tomatoes in Chandigarh Mandi stood at approximately Rs 250 per kilogram on Thursday, with crates of 20 to 25 kilograms fetching prices between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000.

In an effort to stabilize the situation, Brijmohan stated that the prices of tomatoes are expected to decrease in Chandigarh within the next 24 to 48 hours. Three truckloads of tomatoes have been ordered from Bangalore Mandi since the supply from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has been disrupted. These fresh tomato supplies are anticipated to reach Chandigarh soon. Consequently, prices are projected to drop to around Rs 160 to Rs 180 per kilogram.

The current tomato crisis in Chandigarh highlights the vulnerability of agricultural crops to adverse weather conditions and transportation disruptions. It underscores the importance of implementing robust measures to mitigate the impact of natural calamities on farming communities and ensure stable food prices for consumers.