Pune: Tomato prices have surged over the past month, with retail rates now touching Rs65-70 per kg — 20-30% higher than the levels seen a few weeks ago.Vendors attribute the rise in prices to supply issues from key producing regions in the state. The relatively dry month of June has also played a role in higher crop losses owing to water scarcity issues.“Prices of tomatoes have been increasing because of the water issues in the key producing regions of Maharashtra. When there is a supply demand mismatch then prices rise,” Balasaheb Konde, head of the fruits and vegetables section at Pune APMC, said.The average wholesale price of tomatoes at the Pimpalgaon APMC — one of the country’s major wholesale tomato markets— has doubled over the past 17 days. The average wholesale price of tomatoes has increased from Rs2,000 per quintal (Rs20 per kg) on June 7 to Rs4,000 per quintal (Rs 40 per kg) on June 22.Arrivals have also declined from 4,000 crates (800 quintals) per day to 1,122 crates (224 quintals) over the last 17 days.Sharad Gongade, secretary of the Narayangaon market which is a major hub for tomatoes in the state, said, “Prices have been trending at Rs600-700 per 20kg due to poor supply.”APMC officials said that daily arrivals at Nashik APMC have dropped from around 15,000 crates (3,000 quintals) to nearly 4,000 crates (800 quintals) over the last 10 days.Rajendra Khare, an official overseeing the tomato section at Nashik APMC, said reduced supply has directly impacted pricing trends. “The decline in arrivals has led to an increase in average wholesale tomato prices.”Narayan Pathade, a tomato wholesaler at the Market Yard, said, “Wholesale prices were trending at Rs20-25 per kg in early June, these are now at Rs35 per kg. 80% of the produce is currently coming from Satara.”Vendors said supplies have tightened even as household demand remains steady, pushing up prices across retail markets. “Prices have been on the rise since early June. We expect prices to go up a bit before they come down. Prices are varying across the market depending on the quality of the produce,” said a vendor at Hadapsar.Prices on online home delivery platforms have shot up to as much as Rs70-80/kg. “We order our vegetables online. Tomatoes costing Rs80/kg seems unaffordable,” Poonam Chawla, a resident of Pashan, said.
