The price of tomatoes touched Rs.200 per kg on an average and started to decrease slightly after July 17. Due to heavy rains in karnataka for the past few days, it has started to rise again. Till last week, Bengaluru tomato was selling between Rs.110 and Rs.120 per kg, but now it is selling at more than Rs.140 per kg.
Regarding this, traders and agricultural market officials said, "Incessant rains are the reason behind the increase in tomato prices in Bengaluru. Farmers say that they are unable to harvest the tomatoes that were already ready for harvest due to the continuous rains. This has led to reduced supply and increased demand. The purchase price of tomatoes has also increased in the Kolar market. Last week, a basket of 15 kg tomatoes sold for Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,900. This week, a box of tomatoes is priced at Rs 2,000. It is sold at Rs. 2100 per box if it is a high quality tomato.
A trader who runs a tomato auction market said, "Tomatoes come to Bengaluru mainly from Kolar region, but there is continuous rain. Apart from this, tomatoes also come from Kickaballapur, Kunigal, Ramanagara, Anegal and Kanakapur regions. But all these regions are affected by rains. The situation is the same in Bengaluru rural areas. Due to this, the price of Bengaluru tomatoes is increasing wildly. If the rain continues, the price of Bengaluru tomatoes will rise by Rs 25 per box in the next two days. We predict that it will sell beyond 00," he said.
Earlier, Union minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution ashwini Kumar Chaubey, in a written reply to a question raised by a member of the rajya sabha regarding the rise in tomato prices, had said, "Tomato prices will decrease gradually due to increase in tomato supply from Nashik, Naryanggaon, aurangabad regions of maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh." But maharashtra has been receiving heavy rains for the past few days. Due to this, it is not possible for the price to decrease at the moment, which has scared the people.
Tomato price situation in tamil Nadu and Puducherry: tamil Nadu's tomato demand is mostly being met by the states of andhra pradesh and Karnataka. Therefore, there is a situation where tamil Nadu has to depend on those states. Currently, the price of tomatoes has increased across the country due to the reduction in yield. Tomato prices have also increased in tamil Nadu. It is being sold for up to Rs.140 per kg in retail stores.
While 1100 tonnes of tomatoes were coming to chennai Koyambedu market daily, this has reduced to 400 tonnes today. In this case, tomato which was being sold at Rs.110 per kg in Koyambedu market has increased to Rs.140 today. Tomatoes have increased by Rs 30 per kg.
Tomatoes are being sold at Rs.100 to Rs.160 depending on the quality of the tomatoes in retail shops in chennai and suburbs. Tomatoes are being sold at Rs.60 per kg in farm green shops and selected fair shops. Also, in Coimbatore, beans are being sold at Rs 90 per kg, up by Rs 10, and ginger at Rs 250 per kg.
Restaurants switch to puree: Meanwhile, the use of tomato puree instead of tomatoes in restaurants across the country has increased. Market experts say that tomato is a staple in indian cuisine, which has led to demand for the alternative.