Tomato prices up in Indore as heatwave hits supply

High temperature and corresponding low shelf life of tomatoes have resulted in its prices skyrocketing in Indore’s markets in the past two days.

High temperature and corresponding low shelf life of tomatoes have resulted in its prices skyrocketing in Indore’s markets in the past two days.

In retail markets, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg as against the usual rate of Rs 30-40 per kg. (HT file)

In retail markets, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg as against the usual rate of Rs 30-40 per kg. In wholesale markets, tomatoes are priced at Rs 700-900 per crate (25 kg) as against Rs 400-600 per crate a few days ago.

Experts say the harvesting season for tomatoes starts in September in Madhya Pradesh. Also, reduced supply from Maharashtra has worsened the crisis. “Tomatoes are highly perishable and can’t bear high temperatures,. This might have led to the low supply from Maharashtra. There is a need to build solar-power cold storages at village level in order to avoid fluctuations in supply,” farmer Samar Singh in Khargone district told HT.

At present, tomatoes are supplied from wholesale markets at Nasik in Maharashtra. Wholesale vegetable trader Sunderlal Makhija said tomato supply, which is down by about 30%, is entirely dependent on supply from Maharashtra. Until then, prices are likely to remain high for the next few weeks as retailers have also hiked rates to cope with losses of storing the perishable fruit in summer.

Scarcity

Experts say the harvesting season for tomatoes starts in September in Madhya Pradesh

Tomato is a highly perishable commodity and high temperature reduces its shelf life

Reduced supply from Maharashtra is worsening the crisis