The retail price of tomatoes in the national capital touched Rs 75 a kg on Friday, while prices softened in some parts of south India. However the price still remains high. In Chennai, the retail price of tomatoes declined to Rs 63 per kg on Friday from a high of Rs 100 a kg on November 22, according to consumer affairs ministry data. Similarly, in Thiruvananthapuram, the price declined from Rs 103 a kg to Rs 80 per kg in the said period.
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 slightly to Rs 72 per kg during the two days from the earlier Rs 90 per kg. In Bengaluru, tomato prices remained high at 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 have moderated in Delhi. The retail price of onion was running at Rs 35 per kg and potato at Rs 20 per kg.
Widespread heavy rains since the first week of November have led to a sharp rise in retail prices of tomatoes in major cities of South India. Due to heavy rains, tomato crop has been damaged thereby worsening the supply situation. Even the supply of tomatoes from major producing states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to other parts of the country has also been affected. According to government data, 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.
Meanwhile, CRISIL Research on Friday said that due to more incessant rains, prices of vegetables have risen and tomato prices may remain elevated for the next two months. Describing the ground situation, Crisil has said that the situation in Karnataka, one of the major tomato growing regions, is so 'serious' that the vegetable is being shipped from Nashik in Maharashtra.
CRISIL Research said that during the October-December period, the major supplier states, Karnataka (105 per cent above normal), Andhra Pradesh (40 per cent above normal) and Maharashtra (22 per cent above normal) received excess rainfall due to standing crops. has suffered damage. These are the major supplier states.
It has said that the prices have increased by 142 per cent till November 25 and the prices will remain high for two more months till the harvest starts from January from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. At present, tomato is selling at Rs 47 per kg and the price will come down by 30 per cent once fresh arrivals start, the agency said.
In the case of onions, the report said transplantation was delayed in major growing regions of Maharashtra due to low rainfall in August, leading to a delay in arrivals in October. This led to an increase of 65 per cent in onion prices as compared to September. However, in case of onions, fresh arrivals from Haryana are expected to start in 10-15 days, leading to a fall in prices.
The sowing season of potato, another Rabi crop, has been badly affected due to excessive rains in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat. According to researchers in conversations with local farmers, excessive waterlogging in fields can lead to resowing of potato tubers, which can increase the cost of farmers. If the heavy rains continue, prices will be higher for two more months.
It has said that okra prices will start coming down in the next three weeks. CRISIL said production has been affected by heavy rains during the sowing and early vegetative phase in growing areas like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. It is said that production of other vegetables including capsicum and cucumber has also been affected. According to the report, "It is expected that after the withdrawal of North-East monsoon, the worst phase of vegetable prices may end."
On the other hand, the government said on Friday that with the arrival of the new tomato crop from the northern states of the country, its prices are expected to soften from December. The government's statement came with the all-India average retail price of tomatoes rising by 63 per cent to Rs 67 per kg over the previous year due to unseasonal rains.
On the other hand, in the case of onions, retail prices have come down significantly from 2020 and 2019 levels. The Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs said, “The arrival of tomatoes from the northern states of the country will start from the beginning of December. This will increase availability and bring down prices. The arrivals in December are expected to be at par with last year."
The arrivals in November this year were 19.62 lakh tonnes as against 21.32 lakh tonnes in the same period a year ago. Explaining the reasons for the hike in tomato prices, the ministry said that the retail prices of tomatoes have increased since the end of September due to unseasonal rains in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Tomato crop was damaged due to rain and there was delay in arrival from these states.
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. The ministry said that the price of tomatoes is highly volatile. you
