Supply Stability Meets Price Volatility: Decoding Chandigarh’s Early 2026 Vegetable Market Trends
Market dynamics in Chandigarh reveal a stark contrast in vegetable pricing as of February 2026. While onion and potato supplies remain robust with stable, low-tier pricing, tomato costs have surged to 2,800.00 Rs./Quintal. This detailed market report analyzes the latest arrival volumes and price fluctuations affecting consumers and traders across all districts in the Union Territory.
In the current trading window, onions have maintained a steady presence in the market, with prices hovering between a minimum of 1,300.00 and a maximum of 1,600.00 per quintal. This stability is largely supported by a healthy arrival volume of 413.16 metric tonnes, ensuring that the supply chain remains resilient against sudden spikes. Similarly, the potato market remains exceptionally favorable for consumers and bulk buyers alike; with massive arrivals reaching 426.25 metric tonnes, prices have stayed grounded in the 300.00 to 400.00 per quintal range. These figures suggest an efficient harvest and distribution phase for root vegetables, providing a necessary anchor for the region's food security.
However, the narrative shifts dramatically when examining the tomato trade, where a sharp contraction in supply is reflected in aggressive pricing. Current market data reveals that tomatoes are trading at a flat, elevated rate of 2,800.00 per quintal, nearly double the peak price of onions. This price hardening coincides with a lower arrival volume of 181.40 metric tonnes, indicating that the supply-demand equilibrium is currently skewed. Unlike potatoes and onions, which show a broader price spread, the rigid pricing of tomatoes suggests a high-demand environment where sellers are holding firm on valuations due to limited availability at the Mandis.
These fluctuations underscore the inherent volatility of the region’s agricultural logistics and the varying shelf-life pressures of different commodity groups. As the 2026-27 season progresses, the administrative focus will likely remain on monitoring these arrival patterns to prevent artificial scarcity. For the residents of Chandigarh, the current market landscape offers a mixed bag of relief at the potato and onion stalls, contrasted by a growing need for budgetary adjustments as the cost of tomatoes remains stubbornly high. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether increased arrivals can eventually cool the heat in the tomato trade or if the current price plateau becomes the new seasonal norm.

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