In response to the recent surge in tomato retail prices across the country, the Indian government has assured consumers that rates are likely to decline with the increased supply of new crops from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Current prices have escalated to Rs 200-250 per kilogram in several regions, largely due to a disrupted supply chain caused by monsoon rains and other logistical challenges.
Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, stated in a Rajya Sabha reply that the increased arrival of new crop from regions such as Nashik, Naryangaon, and Aurangabad in Maharashtra, as well as Madhya Pradesh, is expected to reduce the inflated prices.
The minister further highlighted that the price hike may stimulate farmers to cultivate more tomatoes, helping to stabilise the market in the forthcoming months. He attributed the recent price surge to several factors including crop seasonality, the white fly disease in Kolar, Karnataka, the unexpected monsoon rains in the northern part of the country, which adversely affected tomato crops in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and logistical disruptions due to heavy rains.
Choubey reported that the average daily retail price of tomatoes in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands surpassed Rs 150 per kilogram during the week of July 10-16. However, by July 18, the average retail price had dropped to Rs 130 per kilogram in Delhi and Rs 127.70 in Punjab.
To further control prices, the government has commenced procurement under the Price Stabilisation Fund. This initiative, aimed at offering tomatoes at heavily subsidised rates to consumers, is supported by the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED). These organisations are actively procuring tomatoes from markets in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra and are making them available at affordable prices in significant consumption centres such as Delhi-NCR, Bihar, and Rajasthan.
Initiating at Rs 90 per kilogram, the disposal price for tomatoes has been progressively reduced to Rs 70 per kilogram since July 20. As of July 18, a total of 391 tons of tomatoes had been procured for retail disposal, benefiting consumers in major consumption centres.
