Tomatoes
Some farmers are becoming wealthy thanks to an eight-fold increase in tomato prices, but their windfall gains might not last long given that supplies are projected to increase in the coming weeks.
Hike in tomatoes price
According to data gathered by the food ministry, retail prices for tomatoes were at 178 rupees per kilogram in Delhi on Sunday, up more than 700% from Jan. 1. On that day, the national average was close to 120 rupees.
Due to the price increase, which was brought on by supply disruptions from heavy rains, many households have temporarily stopped using tomatoes, a staple ingredient in traditional Indian recipes. However, growers are overjoyed.
Mr. Gaykar made a profit of Rs. 2 crore
Ishwar Gaykar claimed that so far this season, he and his wife Sonali, who cultivate tomatoes on 12 acres (4.9 hectares) of property close to Junnar in Maharashtra, have achieved a profit of nearly 24 million rupees as opposed to 1.5 million rupees a year before.
The pair has become one of the main providers of tomatoes in the area, employing 60 to 70 daily laborers to handle the fields. Ishwar has become well-known in the community, and journalists are lining up to interview him.
The average price of tomatoes
Tomatoes were only selling for approximately 2.5 rupees per kilogram about one and a half months ago, according to Ishwar, who lost about 2 million rupees during the same season in 2021. “Supply is low and demand is still high.”
The pair has delivered roughly 350 metric tonnes in recent weeks, and, assuming the weather doesn’t get worse, they anticipate selling another 150 metric tonnes soon. Every year, they gather three harvests; the current crop is 120 to 140 days old.
The money was stuck with the Sahara Grou
Reasons behind the rise in the price of tomatoes
Due to transportation issues brought on by strong monsoon rains and flooding in some areas, supplies have been negatively impacted, and inflation is expected to rise as a result of the increased price of other vegetables. Consumers are vigorously debating the topic on social media, blaming both the government and the rain god for the predicament, which has become front-page news.
Through the use of mobile vans, the government has begun offering tomatoes for sale at reduced prices in numerous locations. Prices are still exceedingly expensive for consumers in a nation of 1.4 billion people, even though they are beginning to have some effect. Although tomato prices often increase in the wet months of July and August, this year’s increase has been unique.
