Tomato Rs 680, lemon Rs 850/kg, cucumber Rs 300 per piece: Indian in Norway compares vegetable prices with India

An Indian living in Norway has sparked an online discussion after sharing a comparison between the prices of everyday vegetables in Norway and those typically paid by consumers in Indian metropolitan cities.

The man, identified as Vinod, shared a video on X showing the prices of vegetables at a Norwegian store and contrasted them with the rates he said are commonly seen in Indian metros. He said the difference continues to surprise him despite having lived in Norway for years.

“Even after living in Norway for years, it still surprises me every time I visit the butikk,” Vinod wrote in the caption accompanying the video.


According to the prices he shared, an organic lemon costs Rs 850 per kg in Norway, tomatoes are priced at Rs 680 per kg and a cucumber costs Rs 300 each.


Vinod compared these figures with what he described as typical prices in Indian metropolitan markets. He said lemons generally cost around Rs 90 to Rs 110 per kg, tomatoes around Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg and cucumbers around Rs 20 to Rs 30 each, depending on quality.

Norway-India vegetable price gap sparks debate

Using the comparison, Vinod wrote that vegetables in India can be “8 times cheaper than Norway”, while arguing that salaries in Norway are not eight times higher.

“It’s 8 times cheaper than Norway, but salaries aren’t 8 times higher in Norway - not even close. Still, we complain as always,” he wrote.

However, the post was not limited to the difference in retail prices. Vinod used the comparison to raise a broader question about the amount Indian farmers receive for the produce they grow.

He said his point was not simply about Norway having a different cost structure or higher salaries and import-related expenses. Instead, the price difference made him question whether Indian farmers are receiving enough compensation for their work.

“It’s not about Norway’s cost structure, salaries, imports and so on… it just makes me wonder if we’re paying our farmers fair price, enough for their hard work in India,” he wrote.

He then asked users whether India is “failing our farmers”.

Users offer different explanations for price difference

The post prompted a range of reactions on X, with users debating the reasons behind the difference in vegetable prices and whether lower retail prices in India necessarily translate into better outcomes for consumers or farmers.

One user argued that farmers do not receive a fair price while people in cities end up paying more relative to their incomes. The commenter attributed this, in part, to middlemen and alleged political influence over commodity pricing.

Another user pointed to supply and demand, saying a large proportion of India’s population is involved in agriculture while only a relatively small share has enough disposable income to spend more on food.

“Price of any commodity is based on supply and demand,” the user wrote, adding that with around 50% of the population involved in agriculture, “you can never expect a good payout to them”. The commenter also said only about 5% of the remaining population has enough wealth to spend generously on daily food items.

A third user challenged the direct comparison between India and Europe, arguing that agricultural regulation in the European Union affects produce prices and standards.

“Not an apples to apples comparison,” the user wrote, claiming that heavy regulation of the agricultural sector in the EU results in produce being closer to “pure” and contrasting it with produce available in India.

Another commenter supported the larger issue raised by Vinod, saying posts by non-resident Indians often focus on the relatively low cost of vegetables and fast-delivery services in India without examining what those low prices could mean for farmers and other workers.

The commenter also referred to the popularity of rapid grocery delivery services such as Blinkit and argued that discussions about their convenience can overlook the working conditions of vulnerable sections involved in providing those services.

Another X user questioned whether vegetable prices could be meaningfully compared without also considering differences in income and wealth between Norway and India.

The commenter asked Vinod to examine per capita income in the two countries and compare how income is distributed among the top 1% before drawing conclusions from the price comparison.

“Check per capita income of the country u mentioned and India. Also check how many are holding the top 1% of that income in those countries and how many in India, and then re-post it with authentic data,” the user wrote.

Vinod’s post has therefore led to a broader discussion that goes beyond the sticker price of vegetables, with users debating farmer incomes, supply and demand, regulation, purchasing power and the economics behind food prices in India and Norway.