As Price Soars, Centre Set To Procure Tomatoes From Andhra, Karnataka, Maha

Amid a sharp surge in tomato prices across the country, the Centre has directed National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) to immediately procure Tomatoes from Mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

After procuring the tomato from these regions, it will be despatched for simultaneous distribution in major consumption centres where retail prices have recorded a maximum increase in the last one month. The stocks of Tomato will be distributed through retail outlets at discounted prices to the consumers in the Delhi-NCR region by Friday, this week, the statement from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution stated.

Tomato is produced almost in all the states in India, though in varying quantities. Maximum production is in southern and western regions of India, contributing 56 per cent-58 per cent of all India production. Southern and Western regions being surplus states, feed to other markets depending on production seasons.

The production seasons are also different across regions. The peak harvesting season occurs from December to February. The periods during July-August and October-November are generally the lean production months for tomato. July coinciding with monsoon season, adds to further challenges related to distribution and increased transit losses adding to price rise.

The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in Tomato. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often lead to sudden spikes in prices.

"Currently, the supplies coming to markets in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and some other states are mostly from Maharashtra especially Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik which is expected to last till this month end. Madanapalle (Chittoor) in Andhra Pradesh also has continued arrivals in reasonable quantities. The arrivals in Delhi-NCR are mainly from Himachal Pradesh and some quantity comes from Kolar in Karnataka.

New crop arrivals are expected soon from Nashik district. Furthermore, in August, additional supply is expected to come from Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt. Madhya Pradesh arrivals are also expected to start. Prices are anticipated to cool down in the near future, accordingly," the statement added.

Based on the database maintained by the Price Monitoring Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs, the average price per kilogram of tomatoes has witnessed a significant increase of Rs 60-100 compared to early June prices in retail markets. Recent data reveals that tomato prices in Delhi surged from Rs 20 per kg in early June to Rs 110 per kg last week. Likewise, in Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, which are three major consumption areas, tomato prices soared to Rs 117, Rs 100, and Rs 148 per kg, respectively.