Tomato Prices in Delhi Set to Cool Down Amid Improved Supply from Southern States

Retail tomato prices in Delhi have shot up to Rs 75 per kg but are expected to decline as supplies from southern states improve, according to a government official. The official also said that the prices of potatoes and onions, which have also seen significant increases, should stabilize soon.

Retail tomato prices, which soared to Rs 75 per kg in the national capital, are expected to cool in the coming weeks as supply improves from southern states, a government official said on Saturday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the prices of potatoes and onions, which also spiked due to supply disruptions, are expected to stabilize soon.

'Prices of tomato, potato, and onion are ruling high in Delhi and some other cities. Extreme heat followed by spells of excess rainfall disrupted supplies, causing a spike in prices in consuming areas,' the consumer affairs ministry official told PTI.

In Delhi, tomato prices surged to Rs 75 per kg, but they are likely to ease if heavy rainfall does not further disrupt supply chains, the official noted.

According to ministry data, Delhi's retail tomato price on July 12 stood at Rs 75/kg, down from Rs 150/kg the previous year. Mumbai reported Rs 83/kg, while Kolkata's price was Rs 80/kg.

The nationwide average retail price of tomatoes was Rs 65.21/kg on July 12, compared to Rs 53.36/kg last year.

Currently, Delhi is receiving tomato supplies from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Prices are expected to ease when hybrid tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka reach the national capital, said the official.

The government does not plan to reintroduce subsidized tomato sales, a measure implemented last year when prices exceeded Rs 110 per kg. The official expressed confidence that prices would normalize within 1-2 weeks as supplies improve from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

The official highlighted that India has 283 lakh tonnes of stored potatoes, sufficient to meet domestic demand despite lower production than the previous year. Onion prices, which have eased in Maharashtra's wholesale markets, are expected to decline further with the arrival of the new crop in September.

Heavy rainfall has disrupted the supply of tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and green vegetables in key consuming areas, leading to price hikes across metros.

In Delhi, retail potato prices were Rs 40/kg on July 12, up from Rs 25/kg last year, while onion prices increased to Rs 57/kg from Rs 33/kg.

The government remains optimistic about price stabilization in the coming weeks, provided there is no further disruption from adverse weather conditions.