Tamil Nadu government has decided to sell tomatoes at Farm Fresh Outlets across the state to keep a check on the prices of the fruit, said Periyakaruppan, Minister of Tamil Nadu Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department. As per the minister, tomatoes will be sold at Rupees 68 per kilogram in FFOs, adding that steps are being taken to sell tomatoes at Rs 60 per kg, reported news agency ANI. As southwest monsoon brings respite from scorching heat, it has also resulted in the damage of crops triggering price surge.
From south to north, the prices of tomatoes have shot up, forcing people to consume less of it. A vendor from Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow told news agency ANI that those who buy one kilogram of tomatoes are now buying only 250 grams because of surge in the prices. The vendor said that the prices increased in the last 4 to 5 days only.
In Delhi, the sellers are buying tomatoes at a wholesale price between Rupees 60 and 80 who say prices have gone up in the last 10-15 days.
"In wholesale, we are getting tomatoes for Rs 60-80 kg. In retail people will get it for Rs 90-100. The rates have gone up in the last 10-15 days due to rains," Deepak, a tomato seller in Delhi told the news agency.
Rajasthan is also witnessing increase in the prices of tomato, which also bore the brunt of the Cyclone Biparjoy, attributed as one of the factors for price rise by wholesalers.
According to them, tomato prices have increased four to five times due to heavy rainfall caused by cyclonic storm Biparjoy followed by the onset of monsoon season that has destroyed the produce of farmers.