
Tomatoes touch Rs. 80/kg in Pune markets, sparking public concern. Full story at puneripages.in
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
If you’re anything like me, you probably paused mid-scroll this week and thought, Wait, did that board really say tomato price at 80 rupees a kilo?! Yep. It’s real. And no, you’re not the only one feeling slightly attacked by the price of what used to be one of the cheapest veggies in the kitchen.
So, I thought, let’s break this down together. Why are tomatoes so expensive all of a sudden? Who’s getting hit the hardest? And most importantly, how do we deal with it without going broke or giving up on our favourite curries?
Table of Contents
🗺️ From Farm to Frying Pan: Why Tomatoes Are Suddenly Expensive
Let’s follow the tomato trail for a sec.
✅ It Starts at the Farms:
Most of our tomatoes here in Pune come from Narayangaon, Junnar, and a few parts of Nashik. These are our tomato powerhouses.
⛈️ And Then, the Rains Came:
Just before harvest time, unseasonal rainfall hit those areas hard. Many farmers told local reporters their fields were wiped out. Less harvest = less supply.
🏢 The Market Yard Reality:
Trucks aren’t showing up like they used to at the Gultekdi Market Yard. So prices have spiked from Rs 25–30/kg wholesale to nearly Rs 50/kg. That trickles down to us.
🌾 The Local Vendor Squeeze:
By the time your neighborhood bhajiwala adds transport, wastage, and a small margin, you’re staring at that painful Rs 70–80/kg tag.
👥 Pune Reacts: It’s Not Just You
👩🍳 The Homemaker Says:
“I’ve started buying just two tomatoes instead of half a kilo. We’re switching to tamarind water now.”
🍽️ The Restaurant Guy Says:
“I run a thali place in Sadashiv Peth. Can’t hike prices overnight. We’ve cut down on tomato-heavy dishes for now.”
🪜 The Vendor Says:
“Customers blame us, but I’m actually earning less right now. Tomatoes are spoiling fast too.”
🛠️ So What Can We Actually Do?
Here’s what I’ve been trying, and it’s helped (a bit):
1. Direct Market Visits
If you’re free early morning, check out Gultekdi Market Yard’s retail section. Prices can be better if you’re okay with a little chaos.
2. Kitchen Swaps That Work
Tomato puree, tamarind, yogurt, even kokum—they do a pretty good job in recipes. Not identical, but close enough.
3. Farmers’ Markets FTW
Weekend santhe-style markets in Aundh, Kalyani Nagar, and Koregaon Park often have fresher stuff, sometimes cheaper, straight from growers.
⚡ When Will This Settle Down?
According to folks at the market and a couple of agri-watchers I follow, we’re probably looking at 2-3 more weeks of this madness. If rains don’t mess up the next batch, we could see some relief mid-August. Worst-case? Early September.
💬 My Final Thought:
It’s easy to get mad at prices, but this whole tomato drama is actually a chain reaction—weather, harvest, transport, demand, everything. At least now we know why. And if we shop smart, stay flexible in the kitchen, and share tips with each other, we can totally get through this.
Stay sane. Stay saucy. And if you find a good deal on tomatoes, share the secret.
For more real-life updates from around Pune, check out puneripages.in.