Tomato and Onion prices rise

Crops damaged due to heavy rain in Karnataka and Maharashtra resulting in rise of vegetable prices due to shortage

Owing to crop damages due to heavy rainfall in Karnataka and Maharashtra and higher fuel rates there has been a rise in prices of vegetables like onion and tomato in the wholesale and retail markets. Due to supply shortage the price has rose from Rs 10 and RS 15 per kg in wholesale to Rs 15-20 per kg in retail. And with the increasing rates of fuel prices the transportation costs have gone up as well and has had an overall impact on the prices of vegetables. Despite the governmental measures the tomato and onion prices are being sold at Rs 60-70 per kg in retail depending on the locality and quality. As per the trade data by the Consumer Affairs Ministry the retail price of onion is at Rs 55 per kg and tomato at Rs53 per kg in the national capital region (NCR). Safal through its 400-odd outlets is selling tomato at Rs55 per kg and onion at Rs23.90 per kg to provide relief to consumers from the rising prices. The onion is being provided from the government’s buffer stock.

Since the price rise is due to the heavy rains and flood. With the arrival of Kharif crop a senior Consumer Affairs Ministry official stated that the prices of the two vegetables are expected to go down in the upcoming days. Although according to the traders the rise in fuel has also played an important role in making the vegetables so costly.