PUNE: Weeks after farmers dumped their tomato produce as prices crashed, the cost of the kitchen staple has increased in wholesale and retail markets in the district.
In retail markets, the cost of 1kg of tomatoes was Rs20-35. At the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC)- run Market Yard in Gultekdi, wholesale prices were Rs14-25 per kg on Wednesday. The increase in tomato prices comes after of nearly six months.
In August, prices dropped to Rs2 per kg due to excess harvest and poor quality, leading many growers to dump the produce.
Datta Kalamkar, head of the vegetable section of the Market Yard, said on Wednesday that the demand and supply equation has been disturbed. “We expect to see a further increase, at least over the next few days. The fresh harvest will not arrive soon,” said Kalamkar.
Vilas Bhujbal, head of the commission agents’ association of the Market Yard, said sowing of fresh tomato crops is low. “The farmers suffered huge financial losses due to the prolonged decline in the prices over the last six months. Most of them did not plant fresh tomato crop and this will hit supply,” he said.
Some officials said there is a good demand for tomatoes as restaurants and food giants are operating at full capacity. “Household consumption is lower than commercial requirements. But tomatoes have good demand in the food industry; the prices will remain high range till the fresh harvest arrives in bulk,” said an APMC official.
The Narayangaon tomato market, one of the largest in the state, is receiving 25,000-30,000 crates (each containing 20kg of tomatoes) every day, as against 50,000 crates. “The arrival is mainly from Beed and some parts of Pune district. But the harvest is low compared to the last six months. Thus, prices have gone up now,” said Sanjay Kale, chairman of the APMC market, Naryangaon. “One crate is being sold for Rs550-750. The same crate was sold as low as Rs50 in August,” added Kale.
Farmers said their harvest has been affected by the rain. “Even if the prices are high, growers will not benefit unless they have a good harvest. Now, few growers have a good harvest in the district,” said Rajesh Pote, a farmer from Naryangaon.
