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Relief for common man: Tomato prices set to decline as wholesale prices fall over 30%

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Tomato prices set to come down: In a welcome development for consumers, the wholesale prices of tomatoes are seeing a significant decline, potentially leading to tomatoes being available at local vegetable stores for less than Rs 100/kg. The wholesale rates of this kitchen staple have plummeted by over 30% at a prominent tomato market in Maharashtra, a major supplier during the August-December period, reported ET.
The retail prices of vegetables at consumption centers are typically twice as high or even more compared to wholesale centres. This markup is largely attributed to additional costs like transportation, market handling charges, middlemen commissions, and retail margins.
Officials quoted in the report said that the Pimpalgaon Baswant market in Nashik, Maharashtra, has witnessed a remarkable six-fold increase in tomato arrivals over the past week. Moreover, other key markets such as Bengaluru are also beginning to experience a surge in tomato supplies.
Several key regions, including Narayangaon, Nashik, Bengaluru, and the foothills of the Himalayas, play a pivotal role in supplying tomatoes to the nation during the monsoon season. Notably, the Nashik belt serves as a primary source of tomatoes from August to December.
Presently, the average price of tomatoes at the Pimpalgaon market stands at Rs 37/kg, with the highest price recorded at Rs 45/kg. Just a week ago, on August 10, the average price was a higher Rs 57/kg, while the peak price reached Rs 67/kg.
In case of onions, the Pimpalgaon Baswant market saw an average rate of Rs 23.50/kg on Wednesday, with the highest rate touching Rs 28.64/kg. Comparatively, a week prior, the average stood at Rs 19.50/kg, while the peak price fluctuated between Rs 26-56/kg.
Anticipating further declines, Minaz Shaikh, a prominent wholesale trader of tomatoes and onions in Maharashtra, remarked, “Tomato prices will continue to decline in the coming days as arrivals are rising fast. The arrival has increased not only in Nashik but also in Bengaluru.”
As for the national capital, Delhi, tomato prices have experienced a reduction from the year’s high of Rs 4,000 per crate (28-30 kg) to approximately Rs 1,500 per crate, sourced from the Pimpalgaon Baswant market.
Conversely, traders and officials in the wholesale market pointed ti a decline in onion arrivals due to farmers withholding their crops in anticipation of price hikes. The delay in red onion transplanting in Nashik district, attributed to insufficient rainfall, has added to concerns and is supporting onion prices.
In the onion segment, traders predict price range of Rs 27-28/kg for good quality onions in the coming days, with the prospect of prices potentially touching Rs 35/kg during the Ganapati festival.
Shaikh does not anticipate a substantial price increase, as farmers have ample onion storage. Should the farmers persist in withholding the crop, prices could indeed reach up to Rs 35/kg, he said.
Meanwhile, the ongoing phase of rainfall deficit is unlikely to impact standing tomato crops. Unlike onions, tomato farmers employ effective measures such as drip irrigation and mulching to retain moisture, Sachin Patil, a dedicated tomato farmer from Nashik said.


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