ANANTAPUR: The price of tomato reached a peak of ₹196 a kg in Madanapalle market on Saturday.
The price of tomatoes has been rising continuously, as the crop is in final stages of its harvest. Further, lesser quantity of the fruit is arriving in the market.
Incidentally, Madanapalle tomato market is famous, as it is the centre point for farmers from different parts of Rayalaseema region. This is the place where the product is available at a competitive price for wholesalers.
While state government has been procuring tomatoes from Madanapalle market for sale in rythu bazaars on subsidised prices, the Centre too started procuring the fruit from Madanapalle for sale in northern states, including Delhi.
As a result, prices of tomatoes touched ₹150 a kg last week.
On Saturday, the demand for tomatoes in Madanapalle rose steeply, as only 253 tonnes of the product arrived in the market. The first grade of tomato commanded a price between ₹196 and ₹160 a kg, while the second grade tomato went for ₹156 to ₹140 a kg.
Official sources say this is the final stage of harvest in the nearby areas of Anantapur, Tirupati, Annamayya and Kurnool districts. The prices could rise further.
