4 days ago
Tomato prices shoot due to short supply, spoilage
Mumbai/ Navi Mumbai: Tomato prices have been on the rise once again in the past three days, according to consumers and vendors across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Retail rates have escalated to Rs 60 per kg on average, up from Rs 40 earlier this week.
Consumers point out that the festive season is near, and with rates of most vegetables high already, this will cause further strain on the household budget.
On Saturday, tomatoes sold for Rs 60 per kilo in Pali Market Khar, Lokhandwala Complex Andheri, Mulund West, and the Kalyan municipal market. Rates rose to Rs 65 in Manpada (Thane) and Rs 50-70 in various parts of Navi Mumbai. Matunga, Powai, and Malad saw rates escalate to Rs 80 for the good quality tomatoes.
But buyers in Evershine Market, Malad, were lucky to purchase for Rs 40. Online stores sold tomatoes for Rs 66 per kg.
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Vendor Bheem Gupta of Malad said, "The current heavy spell of rains across Maharashtra, including Nashik, has caused tomatoes to spoil. We are now relying more on Bengaluru, which is no better since that region is also witnessing robust rainfall. On Saturday, the tomato stock we received was muddy. It had to be cleaned before display."
At Gupta's store, good quality tomatoes were selling for Rs 80 while lesser grades were available for Rs 60-70.
Small-sized tomatoes that find few takers sold for Rs 50.
Weekly shoppers in the Kalyan wholesale market were able to compare the price difference. "On Saturday, I purchased tomatoes for Rs 60. Last week it was Rs 30. The wholesaler said prices will cross Rs 100/kg in the coming days," said a regular customer.
Meanwhile, the APMC wholesale market in Vashi witnessed a sharp increase in tomato prices from Rs 30-35 per kg on Thursday to Rs 40-45 per kg on Saturday. Retail prices surged from Rs 40 to Rs 60 during the same period. APMC is receiving reduced supplies, with traders reporting substandard quality. The sorting process reveals increased damage to the produce, contributing to higher prices and the lesser supply.
Wholesalers expect further price increases due to limited supply, poor quality and the upcoming festive season. APMC trader Balasaheb Badade explained that irregular rainfall in May and June affected growing regions during the sowing period, harming the harvest.
