Tomato prices increased further on Thursday despite higher supplies in the market.

Vikas Sachdeva, a trade expert, told Business Line , that arrivals have increased in the market over the last couple of days but the low availability of good quality stocks is pushing the prices upwards.

Unfavourable weather has affected the quality of the crop, he added.

Around 1,100 crates (a crate means 25-kg) of different varieties of tomato arrived at the Karnal vegetable market and were quoted at Rs 650-1,800.

Around 6,000 crates of different varieties such as 592, Abhilash, Nashik, Trishul, 525, Avinash and 524 arrived at Karnal markets.

Out of total arrivals, about 45 per cent stock was of low quality; around 35 per cent stock was of medium quality while just about 20 per cent stock of total arrivals was of superior quality.

On Thursday, prices of superior quality increased further by Rs 500-700 and quoted at Rs 1,500-1,800. The prices of medium quality produce went up by Rs 400 and quoted at 850-1,200 while low quality produce was at Rs 450-650, Rs 150 up from the previous levels.

There has been too much volatility in the market over the last few days but it is unlikely to see any major alteration in the next couple of days, said Vikas Sachdeva. Quality of the stocks is likely to remain lower even in the next couple of weeks, he added.

Traders are getting regular demand from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and a few other markets. Traders expect that tomato prices may go further up in the coming weeks.

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