The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution in India has announced that the government will begin the calibrated release of its onion buffer stock in September to help maintain market price stability.
For 2024, the government has procured 300,000 tons of onions under its price stabilisation buffer. Officials stated that, unlike in previous years, the prices of essential vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and tomatoes have remained under control during the current monsoon season due to higher production levels in the 2024–25 season compared to 2023–24.
"Food commodity prices have largely remained stable and well-contained throughout the current calendar year," the ministry said. It added that most commodities monitored by the Department of Consumer Affairs are showing either a stable or declining year-on-year trend. A reported 14% decrease in the cost of a homemade thali in July 2025 reflects a continued moderation in food inflation.
The ministry attributed the recent spike in tomato prices in Delhi to heavy rainfall in northern and north-western India since late July, stating that the price rise was temporary and not linked to long-term supply issues. Tomato prices in Delhi rose to ₹85 per kg (US$1.02) at the end of July but have since begun to ease as daily supplies to Delhi's Azadpur mandi improve.
To address short-term price volatility, the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) began procuring tomatoes from Azadpur mandi on August 4. These are being sold at minimal margins through various retail outlets and mobile vans across Delhi. The NCCF has so far sold more than 27,000 kg of tomatoes at retail prices ranging between ₹47 (US$0.56) and ₹60 (US$0.72) per kg.
At present, retail tomato prices in Delhi average ₹73 per kg (US$0.88). In Chennai and Mumbai, where supplies were not disrupted by recent rainfall, prices are lower at ₹50 (US$0.60) and ₹58 (US$0.70) per kg, respectively. The nationwide average retail price of tomatoes is currently ₹52 per kg (US$0.63), compared to ₹54 per kg (US$0.65) in 2024 and significantly below ₹136 per kg (US$1.63) in 2023.
Source: DD News
