The extreme weather in India is a good example of how it can impact food prices. Tomato prices have doubled in some places due to the heat wave in India. The heat has damaged tomato crops, leading to a reduced supply. The delayed monsoon rains have also affected the planting of new tomato crops.
The high price of tomatoes is burdensome for consumers, particularly those already struggling financially. It also poses a challenge for businesses like restaurants and food manufacturers that rely on tomatoes as an ingredient.
Apart from the heat wave, the war in Ukraine has disrupted global food markets, causing commodity prices to rise. This includes the cost of fertilizers used in tomato cultivation, which contributes to the high tomato prices.
It’s difficult to determine how long the high prices will persist. They are likely to remain until the heat wave subsides and the monsoon rains arrive. Meanwhile, consumers may need to reduce tomato consumption or explore alternative ingredients.
Here are some tips for reducing consumption of tomatoes:
Substitute other vegetables in recipes that call for tomatoes. For example, zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers can be used instead of tomatoes in salads or pasta dishes.
Choose canned or frozen tomatoes over fresh ones. Canned and frozen tomatoes are often more affordable and still provide great flavor.
Make homemade tomato sauce. This allows you to save money and have control over the amount of salt and sugar in your sauce.
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