Tomato prices have shot up to Rs 80 per Kg in Delhi and several other parts of India after cyclone Montha damaged large areas of farmland in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. These two states are major tomato-producing regions, and the cyclone disrupted harvesting, transportation, and supply to northern markets. As a result, availability has sharply reduced in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, pushing prices higher.
Government Steps In With Subsidised Tomato Sales
To control the sudden rise in prices, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has started selling tomatoes at a subsidised rate of Rs 52 per kg under the ‘Janata’ brand. These tomatoes are being sold through mobile vans and counters across the Delhi-NCR region. Locations include areas like Saket, Malviya Nagar, Dwarka, Noida, and Khari Baoli.
---Advertisement---
The government has announced that this programme will be expanded to other cities in the coming days. The move comes just before the winter session of Parliament, where rising prices of essential vegetables are expected to be discussed.
---Advertisement---
Big Drop in India’s Tomato Output This Year
India’s tomato production for 2024–25 is projected to fall to 19.46 million tonnes, down from 21.32 million tonnes last year. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka contribute nearly 26 percent of the country’s total tomato output. Key mandis such as Madanapalle and Kolar–Chikkaballapur have reported large-scale crop losses.
Farmers say rising input costs and damaged crops have made it difficult to repay agricultural loans, adding to their financial burden.
Retail Prices Soar While Wholesale Rates Stay Flat
Retail prices in Delhi have risen by 66.7 percent year-on-year, jumping from Rs 48 per kg to Rs 80. Interestingly, wholesale prices have remained mostly stable at around Rs 4,182 per quintal. This indicates that the sharp increase is happening mainly at the retail end, where margins appear to be widening.
Similar gaps between retail and wholesale prices have been noted in cities like Kolkata and Chennai, showing that the problem is nationwide.
More Supply Expected Soon, Prices May Ease
According to officials, subsidised tomato sales will continue until retail prices fall back to the range of Rs 40–50 per kg. Fresh tomato arrivals from Rajasthan and Punjab are expected within the next 20–25 days. Once these supplies reach the markets, prices are likely to stabilise.
The government says it is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further disruptions and ensure that consumers are not burdened by sudden price spikes.