19 Aug 2025 : During the festive season, when kitchens should be filled with the aroma of delicacies, the sharp sting of inflation has spoiled the taste. From Jaipur’s wholesale markets to street vendors in every lane, vegetable prices have skyrocketed. The situation is such that tomatoes are burning pockets not with their red color but with their price, and the spiciness of green chilies is now not just on the tongue but also heavy on wallets.
Rain spoiled the game
Recent rains have damaged crops, reducing production. At the same time, supply from other states has also become limited. Both factors have heavily impacted availability, leading to a continuous price rise.
Reduced supply in wholesale markets
In Jaipur’s largest wholesale market — Muhana Mandi — the number of trucks arriving with vegetables has been cut in half. Earlier, 40–45 truckloads of tomatoes arrived daily, but now the number has dropped to around 20. Because of this, the wholesale price of tomatoes has reached ₹50–₹55 per kilo. The wholesale rate of green chilies has also crossed ₹40 per kilo.
Retail prices soaring
In Jaipur’s major retail markets — Malviya Nagar, Raja Park, C-Scheme, Sodala, and Vaishali Nagar — shopkeepers are making huge profits. The current retail prices of vegetables in these areas are as follows:
- Hybrid Tomatoes: ₹100 – ₹120 per kilo
- Green Chilies: ₹130 per kilo
- Ginger: ₹120 per kilo
Consumers troubled, cutting down on purchases
Shoppers are no longer buying vegetables in the same quantity as before. Earlier, a family could buy a week’s worth of vegetables for ₹300–₹400, but now the same expenses have shot up to ₹700. According to vegetable vendors, people are now buying half a kilo or even a quarter kilo instead of a full kilo.
When will relief come?
Experts say that relief may only be expected after the second week of September, when supply from other states increases. Until then, consumers will have to cope with this spicy burden of inflation, both in taste and on their wallets.
Summary:
Vegetable prices have surged to unprecedented levels, with tomatoes and chilies leading the hike, leaving consumers burdened and sparking concerns over inflation and affordability nationwide.