As rates of tomatoes across the country is crossing new milestone every day, the central government has announced steps to check the price of this vegetable, which is hovering around the 100-rupee mark for a couple of weeks now. Centre announces steps to check the price of tomatoesTaking notes from the price hike, the Department of Consumer Affairs has asked National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation and National Consumers Federation to procure tomatoes from several states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and then, distribute them in areas that have recorded the biggest jump in its rates. Centre directs Nafed, NCCF to procure tomato from AP, Karnataka, Maha for distribution in key consuming centresEdited video is available in video section on https://t.co/lFLnN4oaDV pic.twitter.com/1ITlZUdvy2— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 12, 2023In a statement, the central government said that the fresh stock of tomatoes will be available to consumers in Delhi and its NCR at discounted prices by Friday. Further, the centre where the fresh stocks will be released has been identified based on the absolute hike in the retail rates for the past month, the government said.Scale of consumption is consideredTo make this kitchens staple available to every household, the scale of consumption has also been considered in the process. In the down south and western regions of India, the production of tomatoes is approximately 60 per cent of the countrys total population. Their surplus produce is then used to ensure the continuous supply to other parts of the country. The statement said, “The production seasons are also different across regions. The peak harvesting season occurs from December to February. The periods during July-August and October-November are generally the lean production months for tomato.”Why tomatoes price were hikedWhile explaining tomatoes price hike during these days, the statement said, “July coinciding with monsoon season, adds to further challenges related to distribution and increased transit losses adding to price rise. The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in Tomato. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often lead to sudden spikes in prices.” Currently, the tomato supplies coming from four states including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, while the national capital and its nearby cities are receiving stocks from Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, the government said.The supplies are expected to arrive from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh soon, said the statement, adding, “Prices are anticipated to cool down in the near future, accordingly.”
