The price of tomatoes has reached an alarming high in Visakhapatnam and other parts of Andhra Pradesh, making it the most expensive vegetable in the market.

Just a few months ago, tomatoes were available for Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg, but within three weeks, the price skyrocketed to Rs 100 per kg due to extreme weather conditions such as severe heatwaves and heavy rainfall in the tomato-growing regions.

The tomato crop faced a drastic decline, leading to scarcity and an unrelenting surge in prices. To alleviate the burden on consumers, the Andhra Pradesh State Government initiated the sale of subsidized tomatoes at Rs 50 per kg in designated Raithu Bazaars.

However, this initiative is limited to only a few locations, and some of the counters have been forced to halt the sale due to the exhaustion of existing stock.

As the tomato prices show no signs of abating, consumers are exploring alternative options to replace the costly fruit.

Some are turning to items like aamchur and tamarind powder, while others are opting for packaged tomato puree. Interestingly, other vegetables like beans, capsicum, and spiny gourd have also seen their prices soar to Rs 100 per kg in areas like Visakhapatnam, adding to the plight of consumers.