With the recent surge in tomato prices, McDonald’s in Delhi has issued a notice stating that it will be unable to serve its products with tomatoes. The decision stems from quality issues that have arisen in the procurement of tomatoes, making it difficult for the company to maintain the desired standards for its offerings.
The increase in vegetable prices can be attributed to a variety of factors, including a combination of prevailing heatwaves in major tomato-growing regions and heavy rainfall, which have disrupted the supply chains. Furthermore, the relatively shorter shelf life of tomatoes has also contributed to the fluctuations in their prices.
Aditya Saha, a SEBI registered investment adviser, took to Twitter to inform his followers about an intriguing notice spotted at a McDonald’s outlet in Delhi. The notice humorously highlighted the current situation, stating that even McDonald’s cannot afford tomatoes anymore.
To this, many social media users replied with sarcasm. One user tweeted that the supply-demand gap is causing difficulties in the situation. Restaurants and QSR chains typically do not consider price fluctuations as they operate on fixed rates for an entire year.
The issue lies with the supply side, which may affect the quality of tomatoes. The user suggested the masses accept the situation for the next 30-45 days until the price stabilises.
In the northern regions, the cost of tomatoes has experienced a significant surge, with prices soaring to INR 250 per kilogram in Gangotri Dham and ranging from INR 180 to INR 200 per kilogram in Uttarkashi district. The local vegetable vendors have taken notice of this abrupt price hike, resulting in a decline in consumer demand. The situation is mirrored in Gangotri and Yamunotri, where tomatoes are currently being sold at INR 200 to INR 250 per kilogram.
A vegetable seller said the importance of tomatoes has increased in the region all of a sudden.
According to a report by ANI, Rakesh, a vegetable seller, highlighted the adverse impact of surging tomato prices in Uttarkashi. He revealed that consumers are now facing the brunt of these price hikes and are increasingly reluctant to purchase tomatoes. In areas such as Gangotri and Yamunotri, the cost of tomatoes has reached a staggering INR 200 to INR 250 per kilogram.
In Chennai, the current market price of tomatoes ranges from INR 100 to INR 130 per kilogram. To ease the burden on consumers, the Tamil Nadu government has initiated the sale of tomatoes at a subsidized rate of INR 60 per kilogram through ration shops specifically in the state capital, Chennai.
Tomato prices have also surged in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, where they now range from INR 101 to INR 121 per kilogram. This price hike can be attributed to the abrupt rise in temperatures experienced during March and April, which resulted in pest infestations affecting tomato crops. Consequently, the market rates escalated as a consequence of these adverse circumstances.
Read More: Tomato prices reach record highs as production slumps, consumers face steep costs
