Tomato, Potato Prices More Than Double Due To Low Production, Lockdown

As it is we saw annual consumer price index or CPI crossed RBI's upper target of 4-6% in June and in line with it vegetable prices have been sharp hike in price, this time in particular for tomato and potato. In accordance with the Department of Consumer Affairs' data as on Friday, average price of tomato stood at Rs. 50 per kg after more than doubling in price from Rs. 20 per kg price 3 months ago.

Tomato, Potato Prices More Than Double Due To Low Production, Lockdown

During the same period, price of onion however came down to Rs. 20 from Rs. 30 per kg.

As per the Indian Express report, while onion prices (average sale price) at NCR's top retailer have reduced from Rs. 78 per kg in January to Rs. 20 currently. The price for potato has more than doubled during the period to Rs. 31 per kg since February. Similar is the case with tomatoes from Rs 30 per kg in January to Rs 22 in March and Rs 14 in May, before surging to Rs 57 in July.

Reason Behind Surging Vegetable Prices

Lower production is one reason for potatoes price increase "If there was no demand drop from lockdown, the rates would have touched Rs 23-24 per kg. They had actually gone down to Rs 15-16 in May, before recovering to the present levels," Doongar Singh Chaudhary, a farmer-cum-cold store owner in an Agra district said.
In case of tomatoes, consumers can expect relief to be coming once the just planted kharif crop becomes available in the market.

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