Tomato prices turning red hot in the country, shoots above ₹100 per kilo

Tomato prices have now crossed ₹100 per kilo in some parts of the country, burning a hole in the pockets of the people of India. The retail prices are no less than ₹80 per kilo going up to ₹120 after an increase in wholesale prices, which are ₹65-70 per kilo.

The reasons for such high prices can be due to low production, high temperature, and delayed rainfall in many parts of the country. The sudden price surge has added to RBI’s woes as it is tasked to keep inflation in control. Back in May, the wholesale prices were only ₹3-5 per kg, this sudden burst can trigger a fresh inflation.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has already presented his concerns over inflation due to the El Nino effect.

Ashok Ganor, a tomato trader from Delhi said, “Tomato prices have doubled in the last two days as supplies from neighboring states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have reduced. The tomatoes are now coming in from Bangalore and recent rainfalls have destroyed the tomatoes that were growing on the ground. Only those which were growing with vertical support from wires have survived.”

The low prices have led farmers to abandon their fields resulting in further deterioration in production. Ajay Belhekar, a farmer from Maharashtra said, “Farmers did not spray pesticides or use fertilizers as the rates were not remunerative. This led to increased incidence of pest and disease and fall in production.”

The high prices might come down in the coming weeks when the new harvest begins, however, if Himachal Pradesh and other growing areas witness heavy rainfall, the prices may remain still.