Tomato frenzy: A 5-hour wait for affordable Rs 60/kg tomatoes in Chennai

In Royapettah, over 100 people endured a five-plus hour wait outside the local cooperative society to purchase tomatoes at a significantly lower price. As retail markets witnessed tomato prices reaching a staggering 188, consumers turned to cooperative societies where the same tomatoes were available at a more affordable 60 per kilogram.

However, the surge in demand has put a strain on local vendors who are grappling with a limited supply of tomatoes. One vendor, Prasat T, expressed his concerns, stating, "We are running low on tomatoes lately. There's not as many as before, so I can't offer as many as I used to. High prices are making things even worse. It's getting difficult for us sellers and for our customers too."

Thankfully, as the supply chain stabilizes and the inflow of tomatoes increases, prices are expected to witness a downward trend, providing some relief to both vendors and consumers.


Local hoteliers have also turned to cooperative societies to source their tomato supplies due to the economically unviable prices at retail outlets. These establishments depend on the affordable rates to maintain their operations smoothly.

However, chaos erupted on a particular day when the cooperative society failed to stock up on tomatoes at its usual opening time of 9 am. This unexpected delay caused frustration among customers who had been waiting since 6 am outside the gate. R Ramesh, a civic activist, shared his concerns, "It is also concerning to see that while some are buying tomatoes for 60, they are turning around and selling them for 180. That is a huge profit of 120 for every kilogram."

Some customers also raised worries about the quality of the tomatoes they waited so long to purchase. Kirtikha Gopal, one such customer, expressed her disappointment, "After standing for five long hours, I finally got my hands on a kilogram of tomatoes. But the quality is disappointing. Waiting so much and then getting tomatoes like this is frustrating."

As consumers seek affordable options during the tomato price surge, cooperative societies have become a vital source for reasonably priced tomatoes. While the current situation presents challenges for both vendors and customers, the hope for stabilization in supply and pricing remains on the horizon. Until then, people continue to endure long waits, hoping for a better deal on this essential kitchen staple.