In mainland China, the price of tomatoes, which can be both vegetables and fruits, has been steadily increasing recently. Many consumers have complained that “it’s too expensive…” and some jokingly commented that if prices continue to rise like this, “even eggs will soon not be able to match up to tomatoes”.
According to a report by “Urban Express”, the retail price of tomatoes across the country is generally between 7-10 yuan per half kilogram, with some high-quality varieties exceeding 13 yuan per half kilogram, while their “old partner” eggs are still priced between 3-6 yuan per half kilogram.
From the retail perspective, supermarket tomato prices are significantly higher than eggs. Walmart prices a pack of approximately 550 grams of naturally ripe tomatoes at 10.99 yuan, a pack of approximately 400 grams of cherry tomatoes at 13.99 yuan; Yonghui online supermarket sells a pack of 500 grams of sand cherry tomatoes for 10.8 yuan; and Carrefour prices a pack of approximately 500 grams of locally sourced tomatoes at 11.49 yuan.
It is reported that in a community discount store, a pack of 30 eggs (about 1.6 kilograms) is priced at 13.9 yuan. Based on this calculation, the price of 10 eggs is barely equivalent to one tomato.
At a supermarket on Yimeng Road in Linyi, Shandong, the price tag shows tomatoes at 7.59 yuan per half kilogram and eggs at 3.59 yuan per half kilogram. Ms. Yang, a resident, jokingly remarked, “These eggs really can’t keep up with tomatoes now.”
On the morning of December 25th, at the Hangzhou Linping Hongfeng Agricultural Market known for its affordable prices, even the cheapest tomatoes are priced at 7 yuan per half kilogram. Some vendors mentioned that tomatoes have been expensive for over a month now, with the cost price per kilogram already exceeding 6 yuan.
At the Wutian Xin Agricultural Market in Wenzhou, tomato prices range from 9 to 11 yuan per half kilogram.
Since the autumn and winter of this year, tomato prices have remained high. Many residents have noticed that the price of one kilogram of tomatoes can now buy 2 kilograms of eggs. Whether in offline supermarkets or online platforms, tomato prices generally range from 7 to 10 yuan per half kilogram, with some varieties reaching 13 yuan per half kilogram, an increase of almost one-third compared to previous years.
In Deyang, Sichuan, multiple agricultural markets and supermarkets show that winter tomatoes are about 50% more expensive than in previous years, with prices ranging from 6.5 to 10 yuan per half kilogram. The prices of some high-quality varieties are even comparable to current pork prices, leading many residents to exclaim that it’s “outrageous”.
The owner of a hotel in Chengdu stated that local tomato prices have increased by about 50% compared to the previous quarter. Recently, they have appropriately reduced the amount of tomatoes in tomato and egg dishes, increased the amount of eggs, some businesses have opted to use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes, or added cucumber and egg dishes as alternatives to balance costs and consumer acceptance.
Supply-side factors are widely believed to be the main reason for the increase in tomato prices. High temperatures in the north during summer, along with continuous heavy rainfall in the south, have led to a delay in tomato production and affected quality, causing prices to rise to 4 yuan per half kilogram at one point. After November, multiple winter vegetable-producing regions suffered from frost damage, and snowfall in the north in December resulted in decreased harvesting rates and transportation disruptions, further tightening tomato supply and causing prices to continue to rise.
Some vendors recalled that retail tomato prices this summer dropped to as low as 2 yuan per half kilogram, when local tomatoes were abundantly available, and wholesale prices were just over 0.6 yuan per half kilogram, “earning more than they are now”.
The Hangzhou Bureau of Commerce released the “Market Operation Report on Daily Necessities in Hangzhou (December 15, 2025 – December 21, 2025)”, showing that among the 17 key monitored vegetable varieties, tomatoes were priced at 8.5 yuan per kilogram, an increase of 21.60% compared to the previous period, making it one of the varieties with the largest price hike. In addition to tomatoes, prices of other vegetables such as eggplants, green bell peppers, have also recently seen price increases, with hikes of over 10%.