New Delhi, 26 November
The all-India average retail tomato price, which has risen 63 per cent to Rs 67 per kg over last year due to unseasonal rains, is likely to soften from December onwards, the government said on Friday. ,
In the case of onions, retail prices have come down significantly from 2020 and 2019 levels.
“The arrival of tomatoes from North Indian states will start from the beginning of December, which will increase the availability and bring down the prices. In December, arrivals are expected to be at par with last year,” the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs said in a statement.
The arrivals in November this year were only 19.62 lakh tonnes as against 21.32 lakh tonnes in the same period a year ago.
Elaborating on the reasons for the hike in tomato prices, the ministry said retail tomato prices have gone up since the end of September due to unseasonal rains in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, causing crop damage and damage to these states. Delay in arrival.
Heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka following delayed arrivals from north Indian states, disrupting supplies and causing crop damage, the statement said.
Tomato prices are highly volatile, the ministry said, adding that any disruption in the supply chain or damage caused by heavy rains drives prices up.
On the contrary, bulk arrivals and logistics problems are likely to create a market glut and resultant fall in retail prices, it said.
The all India average price of tomato till November 25 was Rs 67 per kg which is 63 per cent higher than last year.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the Kharif (summer) production of tomatoes in the current year is 69.52 lakh tonnes, as against 70.12 lakh tonnes last year.
However, in the case of onions, the ministry said that the prices have come down significantly and this level is below the retail prices in 2020 and 2019.
On November 25, the all-India average retail price of onion was Rs 39 per kg, which is 32 per cent lower than last year.
The ministry said it has released buffer onion stock of 2.08 lakh tonnes created under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) in a calibrated and targeted manner to states and cities where prices were rising as compared to the previous month as well as Lasalgaon. and to grow in markets like Pimpalgaon. Availability.
In addition, states have been offered onions at Rs 21 per kg ex-storage locations. Nagaland and Andhra Pradesh have taken onions from the buffer.
Onion has also been supplied to Mother Dairy Safal units of the government at Rs 26 per kg including transportation cost.
“Aggressive release of onions from the buffer has contributed to the stability in prices,” the ministry said.
Kharif and late Kharif production of onion is estimated to be strong at 69 lakh tonnes. The arrival of Kharif onion has started in the market.
According to government data, retail tomato prices touched Rs 75 per kg in the national capital on Friday, while prices moderated but were still high in some parts of south India.
In Chennai, retail tomato prices declined to Rs 63 per kg on Friday from a peak of Rs 100 per kg on November 22. Similarly, in Thiruvananthapuram, the price declined from Rs 103 per kg to Rs 80 per kg in the same period. According to the data maintained by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Tomato prices in Puducherry on Friday declined from Rs 100 per kg on November 22 to Rs 45 per kg. However, in Hyderabad, the price declined to Rs 72 per kg from the prevailing Rs 90 per kg during two days.
In Bengaluru, tomato prices remained at a high of Rs 88 per kg in retail markets. In Port Blair, the price rose to Rs 143 per kg on Friday from Rs 113 per kg on November 22.
According to data, the retail price of tomatoes in the national capital rose to Rs 75 per kg on Friday from Rs 63 per kg on November 22.
However, retail prices of onions and potatoes showed signs of moderation in Delhi. The retail price of onion was running at Rs 35 per kg and potato at Rs 20 per kg.
The average all-India maximum retail price of tomatoes rose to Rs 143 per kg on Friday from Rs 113 per kg on November 22, while the all-India model price was Rs 60 per kg against Rs 67.5 per kg in the same period. government data. — PTI