New Delhi, 23 November
According to government data, retail tomato prices are ruling at Rs 80 per kg in most cities across India, but due to widespread rains, prices have gone up to Rs 120 per kg in some southern states.
The retail price of tomato was Rs 100 per kg in Chennai, Rs 90 per kg in Puducherry, Rs 88 per kg in Bengaluru and Rs 65 per kg in Hyderabad.
In Kerala, the retail prices of tomatoes are ruling at Rs 120 per kg in Kottayam, Rs 110 per kg in Ernakulam, Rs 103 per kg in Thiruvananthapuram, Rs 100 per kg in Palakkad, Rs 97 per kg in Thrissur and Rs 90 per kg. . in Wayanad and Kozhikode.
In Karnataka, the retail price of tomato is Rs 85 per kg in Dharwad, Rs 84 in Mysore, Rs 80 per kg in Mangalore and Rs 78 in Bellary.
In Andhra Pradesh, tomato prices are ruling at Rs 91 per kg in Vijawada, Rs 80 per kg in Visakhapatnam and Rs 75 per kg in Tirupati.
In Tamil Nadu, tomatoes are selling at Rs 119 per kg in Ramanathapuram, Rs 103 in Tirunelveli, Rs 97 in Tiruchirappalli, Rs 94 in Cuddalore and Rs 90 in Coimbatore.
However, as per data maintained by the consumer affairs ministry for 167 centers representing all regions of the country, tomatoes were sold at Rs 72 per kg in the national capital.
According to the data, retail tomato prices started rising from the beginning of October and are ruling higher levels in November.
The all-India model retail price of tomato was Rs 40 per kg on October 1 and rose to Rs 50 per kg by the end of the month. On November 23, the prices further increased to Rs 80 per kg.
Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall during Northeast Monsoon from first week of November due to frequent formation of low pressure areas or cyclonic circulation over Bay of Bengal has led to sharp rise in retail tomato prices in major cities of South India. in the Arabian Sea.
As a result, the tomato crop has suffered, worsening the supply position.
Ashok Kaushik, president of Azadpur Tomato Association, said, “The supply of tomatoes from South India to Delhi has been affected due to rains. If the rains continue in the coming days, the prices in the national capital may rise from the current levels.”
He said that due to arrival of indigenous varieties of tomatoes from neighboring states of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the prices of tomatoes declined marginally in Azadpur wholesale market on Tuesday.
Presently, harvesting is going on in the major producing states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Tomato crop is ready for harvesting in about 2-3 months after sowing and harvesting is done as per market requirement.
According to the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, India, the world’s second largest tomato producer after China, produces about 19.75 million tonnes with an average yield of about 25.05 tonnes per hectare from an area of 7.89 lakh hectares. PTI