Why did Tomato prices rise 200%?
The prices of tomato have witnessed
a hike of whopping 200 per cent in the last three days in the leading markets
of central Uttar Pradesh. The recent heavy rains in Nashik in Maharashtra and
parts of UP have prevented the timely harvesting of the produce, resulting in
dearth of supply and consequent skyrocketing of prices.
Kanpur Vegetable Wholesalers'
Association (KVWA) secretary, Amarjeet Singh Chaddha told Business Standard
that it had been more than two years back that the prices had jumped so
sharply. "Tomato, which was selling for Rs 12-15 per kg just three days
back, have reached up to Rs 45 per kg and the trend is expected to continue for
at least one week," he added.
The price rise has burnt holes in
the pockets of the common man as the trend is being witnessed across all the
edible commodities of daily use. The prices of daily spices like turmeric have
also risen by around 40 per cent, apart from the pulses, which have recorded an
all-time high reaching almost Rs 90 per kg. The rise has also triggered
instances of brick batting and mobbing in Kanpur and Agra. Chhadha said, owing
to limited supply from other states and destruction of crop in the local
farming belt, supply had suffered drastically. "Earlier, we used to
receive at least 100 trucks of tomato (around 1,000 tonnes) everyday at the
Kanpur market alone, while now it has reduced drastically to just 25 consignments
(around 250 tonnes) everyday," he explained.
Farmers have not been able to obtain
the expected yield from their fields due to the untimely rains last week.
According to an estimate, around 20,000 tonnes of tomato harvest have perished
due to the rains in the central UP region alone, resulting in colossal losses
for farmers.
|