Indians who are feeling the pinch of high tomato prices since the last week of June are expected to get relief in the next two weeks, as arrivals from key producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka pick up.
Retail prices of the common vegetable are currently ruling at Rs 160-170/kg in most cities. Crops from Maharashtra and Karnataka, which together have a 17% share in production, will stat arriving in the market in large volumes from next week.
The department of consumer affairs has projected that tomato production would increase to 0.54 million ton (MT) this month from 0.22 MT in July due to higher output from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
“We expect tomato retail prices to start moderating from next week,” Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, said.
“Mandi prices are currently ruling around Rs 120-130/kg, and expected to decline as there are reports of higher crops arrivals from south and western parts of the country in the next one week,” said Ashok Kaushik, president, Azadpur market tomato association.
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
