Bhubaneswar: A sudden 100 per cent increase in the prices of tomato, a staple vegetable in almost all households has pushed it beyond the reach of common people in Odisha.
According to sources, tomato was selling at around Rs 50 per kg in almost all urban areas of the state till Monday. However, the price of tomatoes per kg has now ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 120. The price range of the tomato varies from market to market in different parts of the state.
In state capital Bhubaneswar, the price of tomato has shot up to Rs 80 per kg in the Unit I Market which is the major vegetable trading centre, while it touched Rs 100 in other markets.
As the price of tomato has witnessed steep rise outside Odisha also, state Food Supplies Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak attributed the sharp increase in tomato prices to rains. The prices of tomato rose manifold as its supply has been hit due to uncertain weather conditions, flood and heavy rains in the major growing states.
As per the feedback received by the government, the rate of tomatoes has gone up considerably due to rains and most of the import is from Bengaluru, said Nayak, adding that that the situation is expected to improve soon.
The department is also cautious about the price rise of other essential commodities including pulses, he said, adding that the officials have been asked to put a check on the market and take appropriate action against those who are indulging in hoarding and other illegal activities.
The wholesale vegetable traders blamed the short supply of tomato from the markets of outside states for sudden rise in its prices. The increase in tomato price can be attributed to low production in Bengaluru and delay in harvest in Nashik. Due to the cyclone in Gujarat, the farmers who have stock in Bengaluru are demanding higher prices, said Secretary of Chhatra Bazaar Traders’ Association in Cuttack, Debendra Sahu.
Earlier, 5 to 6 truckloads of tomato used to arrive in the market per day, but it has now come down to 1 or 2 trucks following the price rise, traders said, expressing the hope that the situation will improve in the next fortnight.
