Burger King has removed tomatoes from its wraps and burgers in numerous Indian outlets. Additionally, the American sandwich chain has discontinued its longstanding practice of offering free cheese slices. A surge of almost eight times in Tomato prices has been observed in certain cities, including the National Capital Region (NCR). In Delhi, the retail prices of tomatoes have fluctuated between Rs 170 to Rs 200 per kilogram, representing an astonishing increase of over 700% since January 1st. Despite this, the Indian franchisee emphasizes its commitment to maintaining very high standards of quality and assures customers that tomatoes will be reintroduced soon.

The significant price escalation, spurred by supply disruptions resulting from heavy rainfall, has raised concerns among consumers. This has led many households to temporarily exclude tomatoes—a vital ingredient in traditional Indian dishes—from their meals. The sharp rise in tomato, vegetable, and other food prices has contributed to a retail inflation surge, reaching a 15-month high of 7.44% in July.

Data from the National Statistical Office (NSO) reveals that the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation in the food basket stood at 11.51% in July, a substantial increase from 4.55% in the previous month, and notably higher than the 6.69% recorded in July of the previous year. During July, the annual inflation rates for different categories were as follows: vegetables at 37.44%, spices at 21.63%, pulses and related products at 13.27%, and cereals and their products at 13%.

In response to the skyrocketing tomato prices, the government has introduced new measures to alleviate the burden on the general population. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has instructed cooperatives like Nafed and NCCF to procure tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra for distribution in major consumption hubs. To address the supply crisis, India has initiated tomato imports from Nepal. Moreover, the government has set up vans to distribute tomatoes at more affordable rates throughout the country, as evidenced by social media posts showing substantial queues.

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