Shortages And Sky-Rocketing Tomato Prices Hit Delhi Diets

Tomato shortages and sky-rocketing prices in India have highlighted some of the problems in the industry, a prominent trader from Delhi's popular Azadpur Mandi vegetable market has said.

However, the same concern expressed over current soaring prices was not shown previously, when low prices led many producers to deep states of depression and difficulties, Ashok Kaushik claimed.

How Acute is the Tomato Situation?

"We cannot arrange supply from the western state of Maharashtra or southern states like Karnataka at present," said the president of the Tomato Association of Azadpur Mandi, Ashok Kaushik on Tuesday.

The tomatoes that were earlier arriving from neighboring Haryana or Delhi National Capital Region have dried up, he explained, adding: "We only have it from Himachal."

"Only if southern India's tomato stocks swell and it doesn't rain there, the rates may decline or else high price may last around a month," he continued.

Different varieties of tomatoes are selling at elevated prices of 40-70 rupees a kg at wholesale markets in Delhi.

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Can Government Mitigate the Situation?

Kaushik said: "Government intervention in terms of direct purchasing from farmers like on MSP (minimum selling price) can be helpful. They can purchase it and supply it to the commoners for relief."

"They can also improve on the supply side by bringing tomatoes to Delhi from Himachal. Since there are rains the private supply trucks are facing problems," he stated.

Asked if this high price seems to be a temporary phase, he said: "Not really. It may last around a month. The supply that was coming from is not reaching the city hence the prices have risen. Presently, we are getting tomatoes from Himachal Pradesh only. If rains stop in the south, things may improve."

What Are Delhiiites Talking About?

As per some locals, tomatoes were being sold for less than five rupees a kg in wholesale, and around 20 rupees ($0.24) a kilo in retail, in May. Today, prices have soared to INR 80 (about $1) per kg depending on their quality in Delhi.

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Talking to Sputnik, Avtar Singh, a tomato seller at Old Delhi's vegetable market in the Subzi Mandi area, it shouldn't surprise anyone if tomato prices rise above INR 100-120 per kilo. "Don't be shocked at today's prices. If you enjoyed tomatoes at quite cheap rates till last month, why now complain of high prices?"

For eatery owners, things are even worse.

Talking to Sputnik, eating joint owner Amit Bamotra of Delhi's Malka Ganj area said: "There is hardly any item that can be prepared without tomato at eateries. We can neither compromise on quality nor raise the rates due to sudden price rises. Customers won't pay extra for this. We don't have a choice but to bear with low profit this seasonal loss in the margin of profit."

Asked if tomatoes' rising prices really concern a middle-class family in a city like Delhi, Timsy Datta, a homemaker in the Kamla Nagar area, said: "Of course. Can you run your kitchen without tomatoes or not use as much as you regularly do to cook?”