Short supply takes tomato price to Rs 60/kg

 

 

Short supply of tomatoes has been pushing up its price in the local markets for the last 10-15 days. On Sunday, its price in the retail market touched the seasons’ high of Rs 60 per kg. Vegetable dealers said that the quantity of tomatoes arriving here is not complementing its requirement in the city due to which the prices are flying high. Ram Mahajan, office-bearer of Mahatma Phule Sabji Bazaar Association and one of the leading vegetable wholesalers, said the supply of tomatoes has dipped by almost 75 per cent. “Normally, we see the arrival of about 20 trucks loaded with tomatoes every day here in the wholesale market. But now we are getting only 5 trucks of tomatoes,” he said. Because of the hot weather conditions in the region, farmers in nearby places do not have tomatoes to supply. Thus the suppliers from Bangaluru are fulfilling the local needs.

 

Farmers in the region along with those in places like Nasik, Buldhana, Aurangabad and Chhindwara among others supply tomatoes and other vegetables. But in the current situation, they are unable to grow enough of it. On the other hand, availability of water and favourable climatic conditions in many districts in South India are helping the farmers to grow vegetables including tomatoes even in peak summer. These farmers are now fulfilling the vegetable needs of many cities including Nagpur. But it comes with a premium. Ram Mahajan said the shortage of tomatoes is likely to continue for next 15 days and the prices may further rise. “However, from the first week of July, we may see tomatoes arriving here from Buldhana and parts of western Maharashtra,” he observed. Apart from tomatoes, supply of coriander leaves has also dropped on similar grounds and its price has gone to a level of Rs 180-200 per kg in retail markets.