Heatwave in India: Tomato prices rise amid intense heat

India was hit by an intense heatwave. This has impacted the tomato production leading to a surge in prices. As per The Economic Times, in the past 15-20 days, Tomato prices have almost doubled in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala amid intense heat.

Tomato Price rise

As per The Economic Times, the average wholesale price of Tomato has reached Rs 40-50 per kg in these states. However, the Northern part of the country hasn't seen surge in prices due to the oversupply of tomatoes which are ripening rapidly due to intense heat conditions.

According to Agmarknet, a government portal on agricultural markets the average wholesale prices in the southern states are ruling in the range of Rs 35/kg to Rs 50/kg, while the highest price levels have even touched Rs 60/kg at some markets in Karnataka. In Bengaluru, tomatoes were selling at ₹80 a kg in retail on Sunday

The data also shows that the prices have nearly doubled during the past two-three weeks as well as from a year earlier.

"This year the temperatures were 42-44 degree Celsius for a prolonged period which damaged flowering and fruiting, resulting in lower production," Sachin Patil, an official from the Pimpalgaon APMC (Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee) in Maharashtra's Nashik district told The Economic Times.

Meanwhile, farmers in Northern India are forced to harvest tomatoes as the intense heat is causing them to ripen fast contributing to supply that helps in keeping the prices in check. The demand for ripened fruit is usually lower in the wholesale market due to their shorter shelf life.

"This year, heat has affected the tomato output. The arrival of the new crop that would be harvested around the Bangalore region would decide the course of tomato prices in the coming days." Tomato trader Ganesh Fulsundar from the Narayangaon tomato market near Pune told The Economic Times.

Normally, the prices of Tomato reach its peak between July and October as tomatoes are grown in very small pockets during the rainy season. Excessively heavy rainfall during monsoon leads to cracking of the fruits, which then cannot be transported over long distances.

Also Watch: Tomato prices: Government cuts price of subsidised tomato to Rs 70/kg