Tomato prices have experienced a sharp increase in multiple states over the past few days, reaching as high as Rs 120 in certain areas of the country. Reports indicate that the sudden surge in prices can be attributed to a supply shortage caused by uncertain weather conditions.
In several districts of Nagaland, tomato rates have skyrocketed from Rs 30-40 per kg to an alarming Rs 100 per kg. The primary reason for this price hike is the impact of floods and heavy rains in key tomato-growing states. Recent rains in many regions have resulted in crop damage, leading to a disruption in supply chains, as stated in reports.
Market experts predict that the prices are likely to rise even further in the coming days. Farmers have also highlighted production shortages caused by heatwave as one of the contributing factors to the recent price surge. This situation marks a significant shift from the previous months when tomato prices experienced a significant decline.
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs (Price Monitoring Division) Daily Retail Prices of Essential Commodities report as of 29 July, the price of tomatoes in Mokokchung’s local markets has risen from Rs 35-40 per kg to Rs 80 per kg. The highest price is observed in the Peren district, where tomatoes are being sold at an exorbitant rate of Rs 100 per kg. In contrast, the lowest price is recorded in Dimapur at Rs 45 per kg, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs’ data.
Consumers across the affected states are feeling the pinch of these surging tomato prices, as tomatoes are a staple ingredient in many Indian dishes.
Amid the exponential surge in prices across several states, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has said that it is a “temporary issue” and is not unusual this time of the year.
“It is a highly perishable commodity. Transportation gets affected in areas that received sudden rains. It is a temporary issue. Prices will cool down soon. It happens every year during this time,” Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, the Congress has criticized the Centre over the hike in price of the essential kitchen item. “The prime minister had described Tomato, Onion and Potato as ‘TOP’ priority. But because of his wrong policies… first tomatoes get thrown on the road, then sold for Rs 100 per kg!” Congress party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter.