• Tomato price skyrocketed in Delhi


• 80 per kg


• The government has taken an important decision

do you know Proud of your kitchen tomatogetting expensive these days? Its price has reached Rs 80 per kg in Delhi-NCR. It’s not just a question of vegetables; It shows how even a small disruption in weather and supply can have a big impact on our pockets. But the good news is that the government has taken immediate action to reduce this inflation. They have started selling ‘Janata’ brand tomatoes at a discounted rate of Rs 52 per kg.

Cyclone ‘Montha’ last month caused heavy crop damage in tomato growing regions of the country, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. These losses caused severe disruption in the tomato supply chain, which directly affected wholesale and retail prices. As a result, tomato prices have crossed Rs 80 per kg in many parts of Delhi. To check this rising inflation, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has taken an important step. According to officials, they have started selling ‘Janata’ brand tomatoes at a subsidized rate of Rs 52 per kg through the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF).

How long will Janata tomatoes be sold?

According to Mint, the move by the government has been taken just ahead of the winter session of Parliament, which begins on December 1. A government official said on condition of anonymity, “We monitor the prices of all essential commodities and intervene if needed. Tomato arrivals are normal this time of the year, but crop losses in key producing areas have reduced supplies and disrupted the market. The public will continue to sell tomatoes till prices come within Rs 40-50 per kg.”

Oh God! Tomato Rs 600 a kg, 400 per cent hike in prices, supply halved due to 5000 containers stuck

Where are the vans deployed in Delhi?

NCCF is selling tomatoes at discounted prices in Delhi through mobile vans and counters at several prominent locations in Delhi-NCR such as Krishi Bhawan, Barakhamba Road, Saket, Malviya Nagar, Patel Chowk, RK Puram, Nehru Place, Rohini, Dwarka and Noida. Moreover, to provide relief from inflation, NCCF is also selling onions separately, but at Rs 15 per kg.

Why did tomatoes become more expensive?

Due to crop damage, production and arrivals have decreased in key markets such as Madanapalle region in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and Kolar-Chikkaballapur belt in Karnataka. According to the agriculture ministry’s third advance estimate, India’s tomato production is projected to decline to 19.46 million tonnes in 2024-25 from 21.32 million tonnes last year, with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka accounting for roughly 16% and 10% respectively. Farmers are also grappling with this problem.

According to a senior horticulture official of the Karnataka government, around 765 hectares of tomato crops were damaged due to unseasonal rains, while total tomato cultivation in the state was 39,474 hectares.

What do government statistics say?

In Delhi on November 25, according to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs of tomatoes Retail price was Rs 80 per kg as against Rs 48 per kg last year, an increase of 66.7%. In Kolkata, it increased by 40.4% to Rs 73 per kg, while in Chennai, it increased by 87.5% to Rs 75 per kg.

According to the same Mint report, Abhas Kumar, assistant professor of economics at Delhi University, explained, “Tomato weighs about 0.6% in the consumer food price index, so even a small increase could create short-term volatility, even if core inflation is largely under control.” Meanwhile, former Assistant Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) B.B. Singh opines, “This early intervention reflects the government’s concern that even a temporary hike in tomato prices during the Parliament session could lead to political criticism. The central government is expected to keep a close eye on supply till arrivals normalize in December.” It is important to understand that this government initiative is an important step to provide immediate relief to the common man.

An increase in the price of tomato crop! Big relief to productive farmers; The prices increased despite the increase in the arrivals in the wholesale market

What are the substitutes for tomatoes in the kitchen?

To avoid frequent hikes in tomato prices, you can adopt some cheap and nutritious options in your kitchen:

• Tamarind or Dry Mango Powder: It can add spiciness and thickness to gravies, similar to tomatoes. It can be used in dal, sambar and curry leaves


• Curd or buttermilk: It is a great option for adding spiciness and creamy texture to curry leaves and some vegetables in particular


• Red Capsicum: Making a paste by boiling or roasting gives it a tomato paste-like consistency and a slightly sweeter taste, which also improves the color


• Tomato Puree or Paste: When tomatoes are cheap, buy them, puree and freeze, or stock up on a trusted brand of paste. This is very useful in emergency situations