Tomatoes get expensive as rains hit supply, quality

Time of India

2 days ago

Pune/Nashik: Tomato prices in the city soared to Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg in retail markets and hit Rs 90 to Rs 100 a kg on quick commerce platforms. Rainfall and supply disruptions have led to limited supply in the market, pushing up prices.
A Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) official said, "Owing to the rainfall, the supply of tomatoes has reduced in the market. The quality is also compromised usually in the monsoon. Wholesale rates are trending at around Rs 40 per kg," said
Sharad Gongade, secretary of the Narayangaon market, a major hub for tomatoes in the state, said, "Prices have increased to Rs 700 to Rs 800 per 20kg crate now owing to lesser supply in the market.
Prices should come down in a few weeks in August."
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The average wholesale tomato price was recorded at Rs 911 a crate or Rs 45.55 per kg at Pimpalgaon and Nashik APMCs in Nashik district on Friday. The average wholesale tomato price increased by 153% in the last 14 days, from Rs 18 per kg on July 18 to Rs 45.55 per kg on Friday at Pimpalgaon and Nashik APMCs.
In retail markets of Nashik, the tomato price increased from Rs 25 per kg on July 18 to Rs 70 per kg to date.
Rajendra Khare, an official from Nashik APMC overseeing the tomato section, said rain damaged tomato crops, causing a drop in the arrivals of the produce. The arrivals of the tomatoes have dropped by around 40% in the last fortnight, from 10,500 crates per day around a fortnight back to around 7,000 crates per day so far.
"The price of tomatoes depends on the quality of the vegetable. People have no choice but to buy it. In wholesale markets, the price for small tomatoes is Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg, and in retail, we are selling at Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg," said Rajesh Borude, a vendor at Somwar Peth.
Rohit Suryanwanshi, a vendor at the Hadaspar vegetable market, said that prices in the retail market are between Rs 45 to Rs 60 depending on the quality. "Supply is less in the market, and that is the reason prices are higher. Best quality tomatoes are selling at around Rs 60 a kg," he said.
Traders said the upward trend of prices is likely to continue till mid-August or more until the new produce reaches markets.
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