Tomato prices have doubled to Rs100 per kg in the Capital during last week. The rate has gone through the roof due to slump in supply. The traders of wholesale markets also claimed that the prices may go up further in the coming weeks. The price has also gone up exorbitantly in neighbouring Noida and Ghaziabad as the supply of this kitchen staple dwindles. Traders said sparse rainfall in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and western Uttar Pradesh are to blame for poor production at 40 per cent-50 per cent. Meanwhile, prices of other greens too are on the upsurge.
Price of tomatoes in wholesale markets, including Azadpur, Keshopur and Gazipur, is varying between Rs45 and Rs55 per kg. Hence, it is being sold at Rs100 per kg in several localities in the Capital by retailers. While, in upscale areas of South Delhi, it has touched Rs100 per kg, Safal outlets are selling tomatoes at Rs65 per kg. last week, the wholesale rate was oscillating between Rs18 and Rs22 per kg while retail price was up to Rs60 per kg. The Safal outlets were selling tomatoes
at Rs50 only.
Rajender Singh, a vegetable vendor in Shastri Nagar area, said that he is compelled to sell tomato at higher rates as the purchasing cost is much higher than earlier. He is selling this basic ingredient at Rs80 per kg. He said that only partially rotten tomatoes or poor quality produce is available at Rs60-Rs65 per kg. “As we are purchasing tomatoes at higher rates, we have had to increase the price. We are bringing little stock these days just to fulfil minimum basic requirement of the consumer,” he said.
Wholesale traders at three big wholesale markets in the Capital — Azadpur, Keshopur and Gazipur — claimed that the tomatoes producing States have halted supply and only the produce from Solan district of Himachal Pradesh is arriving in the city. “Since supply is paltry, prices are on the upswing. In the last couple of weeks, it has soared four times, which is a serious concern,” said Manoj Kumar, a wholesale trader in Azadpur mandi.