Retail tomato prices climb to Rs 155/kg; TN govt launches fairprice sales to offset the surge

Retail prices of tomatoes have skyrocketed to Rs 155 per kilogramme in major cities across the country due to supply shortages in the producing region caused by rains, official data showed. (Image: PTI)

In major cities, retail prices of tomatoes ranged from Rs 58 to 148 per kg, with the highest price recorded in Kolkata at Rs 148 per kg and the lowest in Mumbai at Rs 58 per kg. (Image: PTI)

According to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the average India-wide retail price was Rs 83.29 per kg, with the average price at Rs 100 per kg. (Image: PTI)

The highest price of Rs 155 per kg was in Siliguri, West Bengal, the data showed. (Image: PTI)

In the national capital, retail tomato prices have surged up to Rs 140 per kg in the Delhi-NCR region due to the supply disruption from the producing centres owing to rains. (Image: ANI)

Wholesale prices of tomato at Azadpur Mandi, Asia's largest wholesale fruits and vegetables market, were ruling in the range of Rs 60-120 per kg, depending on the quality on July 3. (Image: ANI)

Supplies of tomatoes from producing states have been disrupted for the past two weeks as harvesting and transportation have been affected. (Image: PTI)

The government has claimed that the current increase in tomato prices is a seasonal phenomenon, and that around this time prices are generally high. It is expected that prices will cool down in the next 15 days and normalise within a month. (Image: PTI)

In an effort to offset the rising tomato prices, the Tamil Nadu government on July 4 launched the sale of the precious commodity in 82 stores in the city at fair prices of Rs 60 per kilo. This initiative will be extended to other parts of the state if needed, said Cooperatives Minister K R Periyakaruppan. (Image: PTI)

The decision to sell tomatoes through grocery stores was taken at a meeting chaired by the minister on July 3 evening at the secretariat. The Minister also directed the officials of the Cooperative and Horticulture Department to identify the tomato growing areas and ensure uninterrupted supply to consumers across Tamil Nadu. (Image: PTI) (With inputs from agencies)