The government announced on Monday that tomato prices have dropped to a range of INR 50-70 per kilogram due to the influx of new harvests in retail markets. The government stated that it intends to maintain the reduced pricing for tomatoes until rates stabilize at a standard level.
Due to unexpected rains, tomato prices had spiked to levels as elevated as INR 250 per kilogram in retail markets nationwide.
“Tomato prices are ruling in the range of INR 50-70 per kg in retail markets across the country at present,” Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI.
He further mentioned that as the fresh crop arrives in states like Madhya Pradesh, prices have begun to decrease.
Regarding the sale of tomatoes at reduced prices, the secretary stated that the government plans to continue offering the product at discounted rates in specific states until the retail prices return to their usual levels.
Starting from August 20, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) have initiated the sale of tomatoes at a reduced rate of INR 40 per kilogram. This move follows a decline in the wholesale and retail prices of this essential kitchen commodity.
Read More: Tomato prices drop: Government to offer tomatoes at INR 40 per kg starting August 20th
For the past month, NCCF and NAFED have been offering tomatoes at a reduced price under the auspices of the Consumer Affairs Ministry, aiming to curb the escalation in prices.
With the intention of offering advantages to consumers, the initial subsidized price was established at INR 90 per kilogram and was subsequently lowered as prices declined.
To enhance domestic supply and reduce prices, tomatoes have also been imported from Nepal.