In most of the markets of the country, the price of tomato has crossed Rs 100 per kg. Tomatoes are being sold in the wholesale market for Rs 65-70 per kg. A week ago, tomatoes were being sold in the wholesale market for Rs 30-35 per kg. Its price in the retail market was around Rs 40-50 per kg. That is, the prices have almost doubled.
A month ago i.e. in May, tomatoes were being sold at Rs 2-5 per kg in many states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra. That is, the prices of tomatoes have increased by 1900% in just one month.
Tomatoes are being sold in Delhi for Rs 70 to 100 per kg. Tomatoes are being sold in the market of Madhya Pradesh for 80 to 100 rupees while in Uttar Pradesh for 80 to 100 rupees, in Rajasthan for 90 to 110 rupees and in Punjab for 60 to 80 rupees.
Tomato crop has been damaged due to rain in many states.
Some parts are reeling under severe heat, which has resulted in decline in production.
Tomatoes are not being supplied in sufficient quantity from the neighboring states.
In many places, the sowing of tomato this year is less as compared to last year.
Tomato trader Ashok Ganor of Delhi's Azadpur wholesale market said that the prices of tomatoes have doubled in a week. This is because of short supply of tomatoes from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. To meet the supply of tomatoes, tomatoes are being sourced from other states due to which the transportation cost has increased.
Ajay Belhekar, a farmer from Maharashtra's Narayangaon area, said that the price of tomatoes had come down to Rs 2 per kg in May. Farmers did not use pesticides and fertilizers in the crop due to not getting the right price. Due to this the outbreak of diseases in the crop increased and production declined. Due to this the prices have increased.
Some experts believe that the production of tomatoes has also been affected due to Biparjoy cyclone.
Gujarat and Maharashtra are among the top tomato producing states where the impact of Biperjoy was visible.
The effect of impact of cyclone on tomato production in Gujarat was reflected in the increase in prices.
With the new crop of tomato, the price is expected to come down in 1-2 months. According to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, when tomato plants become three months old, they can pluck tomatoes twice a week. These plants give crop for a period of 1-2 months. However, it depends on the variety, soil and climatic conditions.
