Nagpur: The mercury may have gone down in Nagpur but the prices of vegetables and essentials have been on the upwards mode since long. Joining in the list of flared up prices after onion and tur dal, its time for prices of tomatoes to turn red hot in Nagpur. Tomato prices have zoomed to Rs 50 per kg in the local market due to sudden dip in supply.
Market sources said the prices are likely to move up further in coming days. Nearly 15 days ago, Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (AMPC) used to get nearly 30 trucks of tomato daily.
However, due to delay in sowing and less production, fresh crops are yet to arrive in the APMC. This has increased tomato prices in the retail market.
According to market sources, Bengaluru was the major supplier of tomato. But for past few days the supply has reduced significantly. The secretary of Mahatma Fule Vegetable Adatiya Market Ram Mahajan said AMPC Kalamna used to get 20-25 trucks daily while cotton market used to get 5-6 trucks. Now, the supply has reduced to just over 15 trucks in both the markets.
Now, Sangamner, Madanpalli are the major suppliers of tomato. This has resulted in sudden rise in prices. The wholesale prices have increased from Rs15/kg to over Rs 750/25kg.
Trader Santosh Borade said tomato is coming in three carat size of 23kg, 24kg and 25kg which are priced at Rs 600, Rs 700 and Rs 900 respectively. As a result, tomato prices have increased to Rs 50/kg in retail vegetable markets at Itwari, Mhal, Sitabuldi and other areas of the city. l Demand and supply gap increased significantly due to delay in arrival of fresh crop
