Worried about high tomato prices? Traders warn prices won't come down for next two months

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

tomato buyers. As per a report, the prices for tomatoes are not likely to come down anytime soon. A ToI report, quoting traders, stated that the price may not come down below Rs 100 per kg for two months.

Addressing the press in a recent conference, Chandramani Borkar, a trader in Nagpur agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC), forewarned that consumers may not witness any significant decline in tomato prices. Borkar said that after conducting visits to various tomato-growing centers, he perceives little likelihood of a major relief in prices for consumers. The prices of tomato have surged across the country in a very short time.

The prices have risen from Rs 40 per kg in June to Rs 100 per kg in early July, and Rs 200 per kg in recent weeks. As per another report published on Moneycontrol report, the prices of tomatoes are expected to increase further and may reach “Rs 300 per kg” in the coming weeks due to incessant rainfall in some parts of the country. The situation has adversely affected the production and transportation of this essential kitchen commodity.

Tomatoes typically have a 60-90 day production cycle. Sowing is impossible with severe rains hammering the tomato-growing regions. Prices may thus take longer to stabilize.

Traditionally, most farmers do not plant tomatoes in May or June. Farmers will simply sow it again after the rains stop, he claims. As a result, most places will see transplants near the end of July or early August.