Tomato prices have wreaked havoc on the budget of the general public and the faces of buyers might turn red after hearing the skyrocketing prices.
Once again the rising prices of vegetables are affecting the pockets of the general populace. In fact, there is a huge jump in the prices of vegetables in many parts of the country. Due to inflation, not only are markets but also domestic conditions are worsening. Meanwhile, tomatoes are also disappearing from the kitchen due to steep inflation. Tomatoes are being sold at Rs 100 to 120 per kg in the wholesale market. The same tomato was selling at Rs 20 per kg a week ago. The prices of ginger and green chillies are also skyrocketing. In fact, the onset of the monsoon has increased transportation costs in the country. At the same time, due to the unseasonal rains earlier, crops have also been damaged.
In Uttar Pradesh too, there has been a tremendous increase in the prices of vegetables, especially tomatoes. In the recent past, due to unseasonal rains, the tomato crop has suffered heavy losses, while in many states its production has declined due to the harsh summer conditions. Apart from this, the Biparjoy cyclone has also affected the production of tomatoes. The top tomato-growing states include Gujarat and Maharashtra, where Biperjoy’s outbreak was observed. Due to less sowing this year, there has been a decrease in production, which can be considered as the reason for the increase in prices.
The current price of tomato in Lucknow’s biggest market, Dubagga Naveen Mandi is Rs 80. Whereas in Gomtinagar, the prices of tomatoes are making the faces of the buyers red. Here the price of one kg tomato is Rs 100 to 120, depending on the quality. Whereas in rural areas this tomato is being sold at the rate of Rs 90 per kg. Along with buyers, shopkeepers are also upset due to this increase in prices. The number of customers at the shops has reduced considerably due to the rising prices. Those who used to buy one to two kilos of tomatoes earlier are now buying half a kilo or less.
Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the list of states producing the maximum number of tomatoes. Despite this, when tomatoes are being sold at a higher price in MP itself, it will obviously have an effect in other states. After this, maximum tomato production is in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Gujarat. The effect of rain and storm is not limited to tomatoes only, but other vegetables have become more expensive during this period. Green chillies are being sold at Rs 100-120 per kg and ginger at Rs 200-250 per kg.
On the possibility of a further increase in the prices of tomatoes in the coming days, the tomato traders said that no, the prices are likely to remain the same for the coming one or two weeks. After a fortnight a fall in prices can be seen as the supply and harvesting of tomatoes will start soon from many new places. However, he expressed concern that due to rains in the coming time, the prices of tomatoes may remain stable for some more time.
Notably, the tomato is an important part of the Indian kitchen. People use it to enhance the taste of salads and vegetables. Tomato is such a vegetable that everyone buys, but the way the prices of tomatoes have gone up in the last few days, after that they seem to be going away from the kitchen.