Rising tomato prices burn a hole in common man’s pocket

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 24

Tomatoes are burning a hole in the common man’s pocket with the vegetable selling at Rs80-90 per kg in the city.

If vendors are to be believed, then tomato prices are not going to come down for another month for the simple reason that weddings are on and as compared to the demand, supply is thin.

A vegetable vendor in the Civil Lines area said he got tomatoes for Rs70-80 per kg from the main vegetable market near Jalandhar bypass.

“The wholesale vendors believe that since the wedding season is on, vegetables will remain in great demand and the prices will remain on the higher side. It is not just the tomatoes, which are selling at Rs80-90 per kg, peas cost Rs120 per kg, onion Rs40 per kg, beans around Rs80 per kg, capsicum Rs70-80 per kg, bottle gourd Rs60 per kg and so on,” said the vendor.

Even the caterers believe that since the life is returning to normal, people are planning weddings and other parties. More the rush, more the demand for vegetables, they said.

“The prices will remain on the higher side for some more time,” said Shankar, a caterer for a leading city restaurant.