Inflation & Prices
A 445% Price Jump Makes Tomatoes More Pricey Than Gasoline in India
- Hot weather and heavy rains hurt output in key growing areas
- Tomato prices should moderate from August, official says
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Indian tomato prices are soaring due to adverse weather, triggering a wave of social media memes comparing the cost of the essential ingredient with anything from petrol to political influence.
A delayed monsoon, heavy rains in some growing areas and hotter-than normal temperatures last month hit output of the crop, causing a fivefold increase in prices this year. Tomatoes usually become expensive in the lean production months of June and July, but the impact this year has been exaggerated.