Tomato crisis in India:crops devastated by extreme climate events and skyrocketing prices

In India, tomatoes are becoming an inaccessible staple food for the population.With crops compromised by the crazy climate, prices have skyrocketed.

• India's tomato crop has been damaged by extreme weather events.
• The limited availability of tomatoes in Indian markets has increased prices by 400 percent, making them unaffordable.
• McDonald's has also removed tomatoes from the menus in its stores across the country.

In India the tomatoes they are a staple of the kitchen, but for middle- and low-income families Village they have become an inaccessible food because at the moment they cost more than gas.

In India, the low availability of tomatoes due to the climate causes the price to increase exponentially

Prices in the marketsIndia in recent weeks they have increased by 400 percent and beyond, passing from 40 to more than 160 rupees per kilo, or from 0.44 to 1.74 euros, and, according to some, they could even reach 200 rupees (2.18 euros).The cause of the increase in costs is the poor availability of the vegetable, particularly in the north, south and east of the country, due in turn to the crazy climate, with first the heat waves and then the abundant rains, which devastated the crops. In recent months, the unusual increase in temperatures had caused the development of a fungal disease which had compromised part of the crops.The extraordinary rains and floods of recent weeks have done the rest.

McDonald's also removes tomatoes from Indian menus

Even a colossus like McDonald's had to eliminate tomatoes from its menu due to low availability, warning customers with signs at sales points across the country.Tomato thefts against farmers and traders are also being recorded.

 

Even the crops of onions, ginger, chillies have been compromised by the climate and we are seeing an increase in prices for these products. The paradox is that only a few months ago, tomato growers in some central-western parts of India had dumped their tomato crops on the streets, protesting against the low prices of the vegetables.