As per a TOI report, in an intriguing twist akin to a culinary roller coaster, the rates for tomatoes plummeted to a mere Rs 14 per kilogram at the Mysuru APMC market on Sunday, marking a steep drop from Rs 20 the previous day. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, tomato prices ranged from Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kilo on the same day.
Analysts attribute this sudden price decline to a slump in demand across northern states, primarily stemming from the import of tomatoes from neighboring Nepal. Predicting further reductions, experts suggest that wholesale prices might even dwindle to as low as Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kilogram. MR Kumaraswamy, the secretary of Mysuru APMC, underscored the substantial surplus of tomatoes flooding the market as a key factor behind the price fall, highlighting the consistent inflow of around 40 quintals of tomatoes.
As per TOI report, Immavu Raghu, the general secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, has issued a plea to the government, urging immediate intervention to stabilize not only tomato prices but also prices of other vegetables. He told TOI that the production cost of tomatoes is approximately Rs 10-12 per kilogram, with an additional Rs 3 required for packaging and transportation. Expressing his concerns, Raghu said, “If farmers are receiving a mere Rs 14 per kilogram, the potential for substantial losses looms large. A fresh approach to handle the entire process of procurement, packaging, storage, and sale of vegetables is imperative.”
As the prices of tomatoes fluctuate dramatically, consumers experience a sigh of relief while farmers face an uphill battle to secure viable incomes.
