Relief for Punekars as Tomato Prices Drop from Rs 100 to Rs 50 per Kilogram
Market Yard, 7th August 2024: Punekars have found relief as the price of tomatoes, which previously crossed ₹100 per kilogram in the retail market, has dropped significantly. Tomato prices have halved in a week due to increased arrivals. Currently, the price of one kilogram of tomatoes in the retail market ranges from ₹40 to ₹50.
The price of tomatoes gradually increased in July due to a decrease in arrivals compared to demand, with prices peaking at ₹100 per kilogram. The shortage was partly due to a lack of newly planted tomatoes in the market. Vilas Bhujbal, a senior trader at Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard, explained that the price hike was caused by reduced tomato arrivals due to rain. Tomatoes from Khed, Manchar, Ambegaon, and Junnar areas in the Pune district are sent in large quantities to markets in Pune and Mumbai.
The price increase resulted from fewer tomatoes arriving in the wholesale market. Previously, four to five thousand boxes of tomatoes arrived daily at the wholesale market in Pune’s market yard. However, with the recent increase in tomato arrivals following the rains, the number of boxes arriving has doubled. Bhujbal noted that the rise in arrivals has led to decreased prices, and they are unlikely to increase significantly soon.
According to Bhujbal, the wholesale market used to receive four to five thousand boxes of tomatoes in July. In the last three to four days, this number has risen to ten to twelve thousand boxes per day. Due to improved cultivation and increased sales after the rains, tomato supply has surged.
Prakash Dhamdhere, a vegetable trader in the retail market, mentioned that a week ago, the price of a kilogram of tomatoes ranged between ₹90 and ₹120 depending on the grade. In the past four days, the arrival of tomatoes exceeded expectations, leading to a decrease in prices.
Tomato rates are as follows:
– Wholesale Market: ₹100 to ₹200 per ten kilograms
– Retail Market: ₹40 to ₹50 per kilogram
