After the rise of onion prices, the prices of tomatoes have now risen and are staying high at up to Rs 80 per kg in retail here in Dehradun mainly due to decreased supply from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Secretary of Mandi Samiti Niranjanpur Dehradun Vijay Prasad Thapliyal said that the major reason of price rise of tomato is limited supply which in turn is the result of heavy rains in the areas where tomato is cultivated mainly in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarkashi.
Earlier the total consumption of tomatoes per day was around 500-600 quintals in Dehradun, but now the total consumption per day is 206 quintals only. The wholesale price of tomatoes in the State is Rs 20-35 and is being sold for Rs 70-80 in the retail market. He also said that, local vegetable vendors are charging too much money for tomatoes which should not be done. According to the local vendors earlier they used to buy a 24 kg crate of tomatoes for Rs 1,000-1,200 but now as price of every vegetable is increasing they are getting the same crate for Rs 1,800. A local resident, Preeti said that earlier pulses were more expensive than vegetables but now prices of vegetables are increasing regularly and it is becoming very difficult for middle-class people to spend money on other items after buying vegetables and groceries. Another local resident, Sushma said that prices of tomatoes are not same in all areas, some of the vendors are charging Rs 65 per kg while others are charging Rs 80 per kg. She also said that the price of the lowest quality of tomatoes in the market is Rs 60 and that is also not affordable for everyone.