Tomato prices dropped sharply on heavy arrivals in northern markets besides lacklustre demand.
Vikas Sachdeva, a trade expert, told Business Line that ample availability pulled prices down. Domestic demand has not picked up but arrivals have improved over the last couple of days, he said.
Besides arrivals, inferior quality also led to the fall in prices, said trade sources.
Currently, the quality of local produce is not satisfactory, said Vikas.
According to the trade experts, ground frost in the last few days has affected the yield and quality of the new crop.
Yield from the new crop is lower and the size is smaller. Quality is likely to remain a problem in the coming days, said experts.
About 1,000 crates (of 25 kg each) of different tomato varieties arrived at the Karnal vegetable market and were quoted between Rs 500 and Rs 2,500 a quintal.
Around 1,700 crates of varieties such as 524, Abhilash, Nasik, Himsona and Hybrid were received in markets in Karnal district.
Of the total arrivals, about 50 per cent was of low quality, while 30 per cent was of medium quality.
Prices of superior quality, making up the rest, eased by Rs 200 to Rs 2,300-2,500 a quintal, medium quality produce dropped by Rs 500 to Rs 1,300-1,500, while low quality produce ruled at Rs 500-850, down Rs 1,000.
On Sunday, some three per cent of the arrivals was unsold.
The market may continue to rule around current levels with marginal fluctuations in the coming days, said trade experts.