Rain hits supply from hill states, tomato prices shoot up in Delhi’s mandis
Rates of other vegetables like cauliflower have increased from Rs 60 to Rs 100, said Shivram, 75, a cauliflower vendor.
3 min read
Prices at retail markets in various regions of Delhi vary from Rs 80-90 per kg with no further decrease in price. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)Written by Angelina Florence Shicil
While the rainfall has brought relief from the excessive heat, it has led to a spike in the rates of vegetables at the national capital’s wholesale markets owing to crop damage in the hill states. Prices of kitchen staples like potatoes, onions, and tomatoes have particularly soared, vendors in the wholesale markets said.
Raju Prasad Mehta, 52, who sells tomatoes at the Azadpur wholesale vegetable market, said: “Aaj se 20-25 din pehle Rs 20 kg ka rate tha, ab mehenga ho gaya hai… Rs 60-80 kg yaha thok mei bikk rahi hai (20-25 days ago, it was Rs 20 per kilo, now it has increased to Rs 60-80 per kg here at the wholesale market).”
Bengaluru and Shimla are the two main exporters of tomatoes to Azadpur Mandi, said another vendor, Jaiprakash Yadav (45).
“Shimla mei baarish ho gayi zabardast isiliye pakta kam hai. Thoda aa raha hai aur isiliye uchala aya (The rains in Shimla have hit the tomato crop, causing shortage and leading to price rise).”
Vendors said because of the rains, the tomatoes have not ripened and are unfit for sale.
Yadav also suggested that stock from Bengaluru has helped in controlling the prices that would have otherwise risen higher.
“Local khatam ho gaya na, fasal kam hai (Tomato stock from regions nearby are over and thus it is less in supply)”, said Bhavesh Sharma, 26, who also sells tomatoes at the mandi.
A few vendors are selling it for Rs 50 per kg. “Jaisa maal, vaisa daam (the price depends on the quality of the product),” quipped one vendor.
Prices at retail markets in various regions of Delhi vary from Rs 80-90 per kg with no further decrease in price. Vendors at the mandi said tomato prices might remain high this month and might even rise higher.
Rates of other vegetables like cauliflower have increased from Rs 60 to Rs 100, said Shivram, 75, a cauliflower vendor.
(The writer is an intern with The Indian Express)
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