Subsidised tomato price reduced to ₹70/kg

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The Ministry of Consumer Affairs reduced the prices of subsidized tomatoes to ₹70/kg from ₹80/kg so that the market prices would also be lowered and the common man would get some relief from the high prices. The new prices will be effective from July 20th across the country as sales continue.

The center has started selling tomatoes at a subsidized price of Rs 90 per kg from July 14 at Delhi-NCR and select places in Uttar Pradesh through the National Federation of Cooperative Consumers of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The price was reduced to 80€/kg on July 16th.

Average retail prices of tomatoes across India were around INR 120 per kg on July 19, according to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The highest rate was ₹245 per kg recorded in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan and the lowest rate was ₹40 per kg in many places in the northeastern states like Assam, Tripura and Mizoram.

In the national capital, the rate has dropped to 120 rupees/kg from a high of 200 rupees/kg last week. Among other central areas, tomatoes were sold at Rs 155 per kg in Mumbai, Rs 132 per kg in Chennai and Rs 143 per kg in Kolkata.

On government directives, NCCF and Nafed have started purchasing tomatoes from Mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for simultaneous disposal in major consumption centers where retail prices recorded maximum increase last month, the ministry said in a statement. So far, 391 tons of tomatoes have been purchased by the two agencies.

Vegetable prices usually rise during July, August, October and November, which are generally poor production months. Supply interruption due to heavy rains and lack of production are the main reasons for the price hike.

Of the target area of ​​4.97 thousand hectares (lh) in the Rabi season, 4.64 (lh) were sown, compared to 4.96 hectares (lh) in 2021-22. However, against the target area of ​​2.62 liters for a fall tomato during 2023-24, 0.91 liters has been covered so far, compared to 0.90 liters in the same period last year, the Ministry of Agriculture said on July 17.