Fast food giant McDonald’s India-North and East has announced the suspension of tomato usage in its burgers due to the skyrocketing prices of the vegetable. The cost of tomatoes has crossed Rs 160 per kilogram in some areas, causing concerns for both consumers and large companies.
In a statement released on Friday, a McDonald’s North and East franchise spokesperson attributed the decision to seasonal issues and the unavailability of tomatoes that meet the company’s stringent quality standards. Despite efforts to secure an adequate supply, the company expressed difficulty in sourcing tomatoes that pass their world-class quality checks.
This is not the first time McDonald’s has faced tomato-related challenges. In 2016 the company also removed tomatoes from its burger offerings, citing quality concerns. At that time, tomato prices had risen by 17% year-on-year around June.
McDonald’s typically sources 3,500-4,000 kilograms of tomatoes daily from approved vendors in Karnataka, Punjab, and Maharashtra. The company prides itself on receiving fresh tomato supplies within 1-2 days of harvest.
This move by McDonald’s reflects a global practice, as the company previously rationed tomato slices in its UK burgers due to price increases. Last year, the UK branches reduced the number of tomato slices in their Big Tasty and Big Tasty with Bacon burgers. In 2021, supply issues also led to a shortage of milkshakes and bottled drinks in UK outlets.
As McDonald’s works to resolve the tomato supply challenge, customers in India will temporarily miss out on the tangy addition to their favourite burgers.
A kilo of tomato costs as follows in the top eight cities:
Nagpur Rs 110-120
Delhi Rs 120
Mumbai Rs 108
Chennai Rs 117
Kolkata Rs 152
Bengaluru Rs 105
Hyderabad Rs 98
Ahmedabad Rs 157
Surat Rs 40
Pune Rs 51