Political Affairs
Get all the latest news from Bharat and beyond, with a focus on top national events and trending stories.

Tomato Crisis: Distribution Centres to Procure Stocks From Other Regions

© AP Photo / Ajit SolankiA vendor arranges tomatoes at a vegetable market in Ahmedabad, India, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
A vendor arranges tomatoes at a vegetable market in Ahmedabad, India, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. - Sputnik India, 1920, 12.07.2023
Subscribe
India is currently facing a tomato crisis due to a severe scarcity across the country, leading to a 400%+ rise in tomato prices in recent weeks, which are now between INR120 ($1.46) and INR 150 ($1.82) per kg.
India's Department of Consumer Affairs has asked the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation to procure tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra states and distribute them in regions with the highest surge in tomato prices.
The distribution centers will release tomatoes on the basis of an absolute hike in retail prices over the past month, the government said in the statement.
As of now, fresh stock will be made available to consumers in Delhi-NCR at discounted prices by Friday.

"Prices are anticipated to cool down in the near future, accordingly," the government said in the statement.

A man carries a basket on his head filled with tomatoes to be delivered to a nearby market in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. - Sputnik India, 1920, 28.06.2023
Tomato Grand Challenge: Delhi's Response to Rising Prices and Shortages

Reasons for Tomato Price Hike

While tomatoes are produced in nearly every Indian state, the southern and western regions account for nearly 60 percent of the country's total production. Their surplus produce is then used to ensure continuous supply to other parts of India.
While the peak harvesting season occurs from December to February, the months of July-August and October-November recorded lean production.
"July coinciding with monsoon season adds to further challenges related to distribution and increased transit losses adding to price rise," the statement reads.
The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in tomatoes. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions, and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often lead to sudden spikes in prices.
Indian farmers harvest tomatoes at a farm along the River Brahmaputra on the outskirts of Gauhati, India, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. - Sputnik India, 1920, 27.06.2023
Sputnik Exclusives
Shortages And Sky-Rocketing Tomato Prices Hit Delhi Diets
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала