Sharp rise in tomato price at Madanapalle wholesale market
Tomato supply from Maharashtra was hit due to incessant rains and the north Indian markets are looking to Andhra Pradesh
TIRUPATI: Tomato prices in the Madanapalle wholesale market have risen four-fold in two weeks, after supply from Maharashtra were hit due to the incessant rains and the north Indian markets are looking to Andhra Pradesh. This comes on top of a shortage within Andhra Pradesh, and it has led to the sudden rise in wholesale as well retail prices of tomatoes.
Maharashtra is one of the largest growers of tomato and supplies its early Kharif crop during the September-October period.
The higher quality tomato, which was sold at Rs 6 to Rs 14 per kilo at the wholesale markets at the end of September now costs Rs 42 to Rs 48. Traders feel that the prices may go up to Rs 60 in the open market.
There was also a dip in the supply of tomato at the wholesale markets in the state, particularly in Madanapalle. Incessant rains and pest attacks have caused cutbacks in the supply from major tomato-producing areas like Thamballapalle, Piler, Punganur and bordering areas of Karnataka like Rayalpadu and Srinivasapuram.
On Wednesday, only 189 metric tonnes of tomato were brought to Madanapalle market by the farmers. In general, the supply would be five to seven times higher.
Traders and officials of the agriculture and marketing department told Deccan Chronicle that the prices are likely to remain at this high level till the end of October.
"Respite is expected once supplies from major tomato-producing regions become regular. Lower output of tomato and damage caused by the monsoon rains are the main reasons behind the soaring prices," said Ch. Mohan Krishnaiah, a wholesaler in Tirupati market.