After experiencing a slight drop last week, vegetable prices in Chennai’s wholesale market have started soaring again. On Wednesday, both varieties of tomatoes were priced at ₹110/kg in the Koyambedu wholesale market complex, with retail prices ranging from ₹130/kg to ₹150/kg across the city. Wholesale traders attribute the price surge to the intensified monsoon rain in neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, major sources of tomatoes for Chennai.
The heavy rainfall has led to a sharp dip in arrivals and transportation delays. Last week, tomato prices had briefly fallen to ₹90/kg but surged back up on Wednesday. Chennai’s tomato stock heavily relies on regions such as Kolar, Palamaner, and the Srinivasapuram belt in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.