Mysuru: The prices of tomato which is used almost daily in cooking has shot up thus hitting the common man.

Tomato which was sold at Rs.10 a kg is now being sold at Rs.40 to Rs.50 a kg. The summer heat is said to be responsible for this price hike. If in the coming days, the temperature goes up as predicted, then the price might go up further.

With the raise in temperature and the earth going dry, it started raining which in turn resulted in the tomatoes rotting on the plant itself. As a result, the quantity of tomatoes entering the market has gone down which has resulted in increase in prices, said Subramanya, a tomato seller at Devaraja Market to Star of Mysore.

Prices of vegetables also shoot up: The prices of other vegetables along with tomato have also gone up. The price of ridge gourd (heerekai) is Rs.30 a kg, beans Rs.60, capsicum Rs.60, carrot Rs.30, beetroot Rs. 30, knol kol Rs.40, potato Rs.30, ash gourd Rs.25 to Rs.30, onion Rs.15 to Rs.20. Coriander leaves which was at Rs.2 to Rs. 5 a bunch is now being sold at Rs. 20 a bunch.