"I can't eat it because it's too expensive".a cherry tomato on the right side of the sky

[Anchor]
These days, when food prices fluctuate due to abnormal climate, cherry tomato prices have risen noticeably this time.Consumers who came to see the

as well as companies that use tomatoes as ingredients are getting more worried.

I'm connecting with the reporter to find out more about the situation. Reporter Hwang Bo Hye-kyung!

[Reporter]
It's in a large supermarket in Eungam-dong, Seoul.

[Anchor]
How much cherry tomatoes went up?

[Reporter]
Consumers have been visiting the vegetable section since the morning.

There are so many tomato varieties, but consumers couldn't easily put them in their shopping cart,
A consumer who came to buy fruit for his grandchild
said that cherry tomatoes went up too high and even took apples instead.

Let's hear the voices of consumers.

[Kangseon / Namgajwa-dong, Seoul: I think the cherry tomatoes were about 6,000 to 7,000 won. Seeing that it's about 10,000 won today, it feels a little expensive. It's an essential ingredient for making food, so I just bought it today, but I don't think I would have bought it if it were the usual.]

As of yesterday (4th), the retail price of cherry tomatoes is around 16,000 won per kilogram.

Compared to a year ago, it increased by 30% and more than 80% compared to the average year.

Jujube cherry tomatoes are around 12,000 won per kilogram, 25% higher than usual.

Due to the high temperatures that continued until September and torrential rains in Chungnam, the main production area, the rate of application was low, and the volume decreased.

The retail price of regular tomatoes is 8,500 won per kilogram, higher than usual, but the price is lower than last month, when it exceeded 10,000 won.It was analyzed that food material suppliers and others reduced demand for tomatoes due to the price burden of

.

[Anchor]
In fact, well-known franchises have temporarily stopped supplying tomatoes,

When will prices regain stability?

[Reporter]
The franchise "Subway" has reduced the number of tomatoes in sandwiches from up to three to two.

Until supply and demand are normalized, tomato quantity restrictions are expected to continue.

Last month, McDonald's cut off tomato supplies at some stores, and is gradually restoring them.

After the middle of this month, it is predicted that prices of both cherry tomatoes and regular tomatoes will stabilize as shipments increase mainly in the Honam region.

However, the quality, such as the shape and color of the fruit, may not be good.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to provide nutritional supplements at a discount to recover the tomato crop, and to strengthen the prediction and control of pests.

So far, I'm YTN Hwang Bo Hye-kyung at a large supermarket in Eungam-dong, Seoul.