NCCF's Timely Intervention: Tomato Prices Stabilized in Mumbai

The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) has intervened to control the soaring tomato prices in Mumbai's retail market. By procuring tomatoes from wholesale mandis, NCCF is selling them at Rs 60 per kg across select locations, aiming to benefit consumers and ensure price stability.

The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) has taken steps to stabilize skyrocketing tomato prices in Mumbai's retail market. As a central government agency, NCCF is buying tomatoes from wholesale mandis and selling them at Rs 60 per kilogram, aiming to make them more affordable for consumers.

Through this intervention, NCCF seeks to maintain reasonable profit margins at the retail level and prevent intermediaries from making windfall gains, thereby protecting consumer interests. Starting today, tomatoes will be available at NCCF office, Chinchpokli/Lower Parel, Sion Circle, Worli Naka, and Ashokvan, Borivali East.

"This market intervention by NCCF is aimed at cooling off price rises, ensuring market stability, and promoting fair trade practices," the agency's Mumbai-Nashik branch stated. The number of retail locations may increase for consumer convenience.

Tomato prices in retail markets had crossed Rs 100 per kg but have softened recently. Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed that the government uses a Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) mechanism to control rising food prices, although PSF was not utilized in this case as tomatoes were directly procured from mandis.

In the Delhi NCR region, tomatoes are being sold at various metro stations and markets. Rising food prices remain a concern, with food inflation nearly doubling year-on-year in June, reaching 8.36 per cent. Overall retail inflation also hardened in June, driven by escalating food prices.

(With inputs from agencies.)