Tomato prices escalate due to shortage in supply : Delhi Govt

New Delhi, June 21 (UNI) The Delhi Government today put the onus of escalating prices of tomatos in the capital on rains and high temperatures in the supply areas and said if the same weather conditions continued, the fruit could become even more costlier.

The Agriucultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), an autonomous body under the Delhi government, said the supply from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan is falling short due to the tomato prices have sprilled over the past ten days.

An APMC official said the shortfall since June 7 is about 354 tonnes daily.

While the wholesale rates at Azadpur Fruit and Vegetable market is Rs 20 per kg, which is almost triple the minimum, the retail prices have shot up to approximately Rs 45 per kg.

They said at present Delhi is getting about 189 tonnes of tomatos compared to 544 tonnes in the same period last year.

The Officials said the prices might rise further if the supply from Solan (HP), Maharashtra and Rajasthan is not able to meet the demand.

Delhi is estimated to consume about 250 tonnes of tomatos daily compared to 200 tonnes by the neighbouring states.

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