Prices for key vegetables,especially tomatoes,onions and potatoes,spiked across India last week. Consumers and farmers both feeling heat. Data from Price Monitoring Division of Department of Consumer Affairs shows Delhi's tomato prices nearly doubled — ₹30 per kilo on May 17 to ₹53 by June 17,2026. Onions up ₹5,reaching ₹32 per kilo .
Farmers' groups worried about widening gap between retail prices and low returns they get. Ashok Dhawale,president of All India Kisan Sabha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader,blasted government’s failure to protect farmers. “Retail prices are soaring and farmers are being fleeced,” he said. While consumers pay more,farmers often sell potatoes for just ₹2 or ₹3 per kilo.
Even as government promises fair prices for both farmers and consumers,farmers in states like Maharashtra struggle to cover transport costs,especially after fuel price hikes. “They are destroying their produce,” Dhawale lamented,pointing to distress in potato-growing regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Tomatoes,onions,even potatoes have seen hikes of ₹3 to ₹5 per kilo last week. Government hasn’t explained why,but officials reportedly working to stabilize market and ensure supply of these essentials .
Tomato prices have risen almost everywhere,except a few places like Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Delhi saw biggest jumps. Other staples like rice and lentils also saw price increases,adding to trend of rising food costs .
Farmers grow more frustrated,believing corporate interests and large traders benefit while they suffer low prices. Dhawale said government must act to support both farmers and consumers,arguing current system favors big players over food producers .
With retail inflation hitting 16-month high of 3.9%,rising food costs strain household budgets . Farmers unable to profit from labor face big challenges. Government policies need to address these pressing issues…
