In the span of two months, from January to the first week of March 2024, India witnessed a 19% increase in tomato prices, reaching Rs 50 per kg at retail, primarily due to weather disruptions. This follows a period of record-high prices in July and August 2023, where wholesale rates in some regions soared above Rs 100 per kilogram, with retail prices surpassing Rs 200 per kg. This situation underscores the importance of examining the current crop scenario and price dynamics.
Notably, states like West Bengal, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh experienced a sharp rise in tomato prices last year, with rates jumping from Rs 20 to Rs 200 per kg in retail by the end of July. This was due to a combination of adverse weather conditions and a shift in cultivation towards more lucrative crops, leading to a reduced tomato supply.
Tomato scarcity typically occurs during July-August and October-November, challenging the market's ability to meet demand. In response, the central government has instructed agencies such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited to expedite tomato procurement from key producing states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Regional price variations are evident, with average wholesale prices in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR remaining stable at Rs 18-20 per kg, while Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh see slightly lower averages around Rs 18 per kg.
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: downtoearth.org.in