Soaring Tomato Prices: A Capital Concern

Tomato prices have surged to Rs 100 per kg in Delhi's retail markets due to adverse weather conditions affecting supply. Other essential vegetables like potatoes and onions have also seen a significant price hike. The extreme weather, with intense heat followed by heavy rainfall, has disrupted the supply chain.

Tomato prices soared to Rs 100 per kg in the retail markets of the national capital on Saturday as adverse weather conditions in various parts of the country continue to affect the supplies of this essential kitchen staple.

Tomatoes are priced at Rs 100 per kg at Mother Dairy's retail outlets, Safal, in the national capital.

The Department of Consumer Affairs reported that retail prices of tomatoes in Delhi are ruling at Rs 93 per kg on Saturday, July 20. On a national level, the average price of tomatoes on July 20 stands at Rs 73.76 per kg, according to government data.

A senior official from the department attributed the sharp rise in prices to the disruption in supplies caused by extreme heat followed by spells of excess rainfall.

''Prices of tomato, potato, and onion are ruling high in Delhi and some other cities. Extreme heat followed by excessive rainfall disrupted supplies, causing a spike in prices in consuming areas,'' the official mentioned.

At Mother Dairy store in West Delhi, onions are being sold at Rs 46.90 per kg, and potatoes at Rs 41.90 per kg on Saturday.

Government data shows that the price of onions stands at Rs 50 per kg and potatoes at Rs 40 per kg in the national capital, with the all-India average price of onion at Rs 44.16 per kg and potatoes at Rs 37.22 per kg.

Besides tomatoes, potatoes, and onions, other green vegetables are also trading at high prices.

On Saturday, Mother Dairy is selling sponge gourd (tori) at Rs 59 per kg, bitter gourd (karela) at Rs 49 per kg, French beans at Rs 89 per kg, lady finger (bhindi) at Rs 49 per kg, tinda (round gourd) at Rs 119 per kg, green capsicum at Rs 119 per kg, small brinjal at Rs 49 per kg, big brinjal at Rs 59 per kg, pointed gourd (parval) at Rs 49 per kg, bottle gourd (ghiya) at Rs 39 per kg and arvi (taro root) at Rs 69 per kg.

Unseasonal cauliflower is available at Rs 139 per kg at Safal stores.

(With inputs from agencies.)