Tomato prices have skyrocketed, with the vegetable now selling at over Rs 100 per kg in several markets as unseasonal rains damaged the tomato crop in key farming areas in Maharashtra.
The modal price – a type of average price calculated by the government – of tomatoes increased 39% in October compared to the previous month to Rs 62 per kg from Rs 44 per kg last month in the retail market and to Rs 5045 per quintal from Rs 3562 per quintal in the whole sale market, according to government data.
According to a recent report by rating agency Crisil, the cost of home cooked vegetarian thali surged 11% year-on-year in September mainly on account of high vegetable prices.
The centre has launched this market intervention under the price stabilisation fund to manage rising tomato prices in the retail market. In July, food minister Pralhad Joshi initiated a similar move, selling tomatoes at Rs 60/kg to control price hikes.
Traders and farmers said that sowing for kharif tomato is lagging behind in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh compared to the previous year. The intensity of pests and diseases in tomatoes have also been reported to be above the economic threshold level in Maharashtra, causing a dip in supply.Vegetable prices usually increase during the monsoon season as rainfall affects harvesting, including plucking and packaging. Additionally, transport disruptions lead to increased vegetable wastage, further impacting prices. This year, severe heat wave also damaged crops in the main producing areas.