Tomato turns dearer as rainfall damages crop

Low availability of good quality stocks pushed up tomato prices by Rs 100-200 a quintal on Sunday.

Around 12-13 tonnes of different varieties of tomato have arrived at the Karnal vegetable market and were quoted between Rs 500-1,000 a quintal. Around 6,000 crates of varieties such as 592, Abhilash, Himsona, 525 and 524 were received in the markets of Karnal district.

Vikas Sachdeva, proprietor of Aashirwad traders, told

Business Line , that inconsistent rainfall since Friday has damaged the tomato crop. It was a big loss for farmers as they might not be able to get a fair price for their produce. The quality of the crop is expected to be lower, he added.

Unlike other products, tomatoes are extremely perishable and a sudden change in temperature affects the crop quickly.

The size of tomatoes is likely to be smaller and the quality lower after the rainfall, said Vikas.

The prices of the superior quality increased by Rs 200 a quintal and quoted at Rs 1,000 a quintal. The price of medium quality produce went up by Rs 150 and quoted at 750 a quintal, while the low quality produce was quoted at Rs 500 a quintal, up by Rs 100 from previous levels.

Despite good demand, higher supplies were behind tomato prices ruling on the lower side this season, he further said. Tomato prices, which have increased by 20-30 per cent in the last couple of days, may increase further in the next two weeks.

Traders are getting good regular demand from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and a few other markets.