After Tomatoes, More Veggies Get Ready To Pinch Pockets
Vegetable prices continue to soar across India, with tomatoes being the worst hit, as incessant rains in several states continued to disrupt supplies and transportation. In Delhi, tomato prices are said to hit Rs 100 mark, and several state governments across the country decided to control the sale of the tomatoes and other vegetables.
According to data shared by the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry, the average retail price of tomatoes across India was at Rs 104.38 rupees per kilogram on Monday, with the highest price reported being Rs 200 per kg in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan and also a few markets in Delhi.
In Kolkata, the tomato prices hit Rs 149 per kg, while in Mumbai it touched Rs 135, Rs 125 in Chennai and between Rs 100 to Rs 150 in Delhi.
There has been heavy rainfall in many parts of the country including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Heavy rainfall in producing areas has led to waterlogging leading to the damage of tomato crop and other perishable vegetables grown below the soil especially onion, and ginger. Apart from tomatoes, other vegetables like ginger, chillies, onions too have started soaring due to lack of supply. In southern states like Kerala and Karnataka, ginger prices touched Rs 300 per kg in the retail market.
Ishtiyaque Ahmed of Vegetable Sellers Association Meerut said that most of the summer vegetables, specially tomatoes, are supplied across Northern India from states like Himachal and heavy rainfall continues to not just disrupt the supply, but also damage the crops. The condition in Himachal has led to this shortfall and the local crop is unable to cater to the market.
Ashok Kaushik of Azadpur Mandi association Delhi said that it is unlikely that the prices of tomatoes and other vegetables will ease in coming days as the supply continues to be low. The current demand is being met from Karnataka but that is also expensive, he added. The wholesale price of tomato was ruling at Rs 160 per kg at Azadpur mandi on Monday.
Meanwhile, shallots and onions too saw a price rise due to monsoons. In Tamil Nadu, prices of several vegetables including shallots, beans, and ginger, have shot to Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kg. Notably, prices of shallots have increased from Rs 80 per kg (as on 1 June) to Rs 170 per kg. Market experts say that the prices will continue to rise in days to come as the monsoons continue to wreak havoc in major parts of India.
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