Retail tomato prices skyrocket to Rs 93 per kg in metros as unseasonal rains damage crop
The retail price of tomatoes rose up to Rs 93 per kg in metros on Monday on sluggish arrival in mandis amid reports of crop damage, owing to unseasonal rains, according to the government data.
Among metro cities, tomatoes were sold at Rs 93 per kg in Kolkata, Rs 60 per kg in Chennai, Rs 59 per kg in Delhi and Rs 53 per kg in Mumbai on Monday, data showed.
The retail price of tomatoes was ruling at more than Rs 50 per kg in over 50 cities out of 175-odd cities tracked by the consumer affairs ministry.
Onion prices expected to stay firm till Diwali
Onion prices are likely to stay firm till Diwali, traders said, as the vegetable’s rates hovered around Rs 60/kg in the metros, including Delhi and Mumbai, pushed up by speculation that the damage caused to crops by untimely rains may affect supplies.
Along with onions, prices of tomatoes and vegetables like cabbage and bottle gourd have also increased, as excess moisture has damaged the quality of the crops.
Traders said the weather will remain the key factor that will influence onion prices till December, when the arrival of the new crop normally is at its peak.
Gujarat to harvest record high groundnut crop, says SEA
Industry body Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of India has pegged the groundnut production of Gujarat, the top producer of the oilseed at 38.55 lakh tonnes, up by 8.74% than the previous year.
A team of SEA headed by GG Patel, convener, SEA Oilseed Crop Estimate Committee carried out the crop survey, informed SEA in a statement.
“Gujarat is expected to harvest a record groundnut crop of 38.55 lakh tonnes during the current kharif season, which is about 8.74% higher when compared to 35.45 lakh tonnes produced in the previous year. The production is up mainly due to normal to excessive rainfall during the months of August and September and absence of significant crop damage,” said SEA in the statement.
