Tomato prices break new barrier of Rs 200/kg in Mumbai
Synopsis
According to a TOI report, the APMC Vashi director Shankar Pingale, mentioned that the wholesale rate for tomatoes ranged between Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg. However, due to the unfortunate Lonavala landslide incident, subsequent traffic jams, and diversions, the supply intended for Vashi Market faced disruption, leading to a temporary surge in prices. The director expects the supply to resume within a few days, but this didn’t account for the recent price increase during the weekend.
Retail prices of tomatoes have reached a record of Rs 200 per kg in Mumbai over the weekend. The price hike has led to a converse effect on the number of buyers as it plunged to an all-time low, forcing tomato stalls to close shop in some areas due to the lack of customers.
The prices of tomatoes, among several other essential vegetables have been steadily spiraling since June, due to the overall crop shortage and largescale spoilage due to uncharacteristic rains. In June, the prices for tomatoes nearly doubled from its regular rate of Rs 30 per kg to Rs 50-60 as on June 13th and eventually crossing Rs 100 by the end of June. It hit a new record of Rs 160 on 3rd July, with vegetable sellers predicting that the kitchen staple would break the Rs 200 barrier, which it has done, as of 22nd-23rd July.
According to a TOI report, the APMC Vashi director Shankar Pingale, mentioned that the wholesale rate for tomatoes ranged between Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg. However, due to the unfortunate Lonavala landslide incident, subsequent traffic jams, and diversions, the supply intended for Vashi Market faced disruption, leading to a temporary surge in prices. The director expects the supply to resume within a few days, but this didn’t account for the recent price increase during the weekend.
Another trader from Vashi, Sachin Shitole, disclosed that tomatoes were being sold at Rs 110 to Rs 120 per kg. In Dadar Market, a greengrocer named Rohit Kesarwani stated that the wholesale rate there was Rs 160 to Rs 180 per kg. Regrettably, good quality tomatoes were unavailable in Vashi Market on that particular day.
Various vendors across Khar Market, Pali Market, Bandra, Dadar Market, Matunga, Four Bungalows, Andheri, Malad, Parel, Ghatkopar, and Byculla quoted prices as high as Rs 200 per kg, while some offered a slightly discounted rate of Rs 180, accompanied by the expression, “Sirf aapke liye (Just for you),” to attract potential buyers.
On a Sunday, both the tomato stalls in Four Bungalows and the Andheri station area were closed due to a lack of customers. One vendor expressed concern about the dwindling patronage over the past month, stating the difficulty of buying expensive tomatoes at Rs 100 to Rs 140 per kg only to witness spoilage due to the rain. The vendor contemplated reopening the business once tomatoes became more affordable or perhaps shifting to selling rakhis for the upcoming festive season.
Several other greengrocers have taken measures like reducing their stock or limiting it to a mere 3 kg per day. One of the sellers expressed disappointment as most customers merely inquired about the prices, shook their heads, and moved on without making a purchase.
Already, many households have significantly reduced their tomato consumption, and now they are faced with the challenge of avoiding an essential ingredient in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
Unfortunately, it is anticipated that tomato prices will remain high throughout August, and as per the agriculture commissioner Sunil Chavan’s statement in a TOI report, it may take up to three months for supply and prices to normalize. Moreover, other items such as ginger (Rs 350/kg), coriander (Rs 50 per small bunch), and chilies (Rs 200/kg) are also causing distress to households due to their elevated prices.
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