Soaring vegetable prices: NAFED to enter market

Vegetable prices are soaring in the whole country. Wholesalers say that this crisis will continue for a month or more. But government is making all out effort to procure and distribute vegetables particularly, tomato through NAFED at a discounted rate. They have started selling in Delhi  at Rs70 per kilo.

Rushing to Nepal to buy tomatoes

The spike in vegetable prices that started last month and it is still moving forward. Today in the wholesale market the price of tomato is Rs 150, ginger Rs 300 and green chillies Rs 90. 100 to 180 rupees for carrot and onion. In bordering Nepal, tomato prices seems to be cheaper. States bordering Nepal rushing to Nepal for tomatoes. It seems the rate for a kilo is around 50 there. There are instances of tomato smuggling is reported.

Kolar farmer reaps 38 lakh:

These prices also vary in different markets. But in the entire country this veggie inflation is similar but for minor differences.  All the farmers are not getting this profit as many of  them have made annual rate agreements with whole sale procurers. A few farmers are encashing it. A farmer in Karnataka's Kolar has a success story of making 38 lakh with his 2000 boxes of 15 kg each.

Horticultural societies no better

There is no relief at Hopcoms. Although the price is not so low as to help the common people who are struggling to keep up with the price increase in the wholesale market, it is just that it is a little less. A tomato which costs Rs 150in the wholesale market costs Rs 146 in Hopcoms. Horticulture Department stores sells at a slight discount. Heavy rains and crop damage in other states is one of the reasons behind the rise in fruit and vegetable prices. Another is alleged to be black market and hoarding in the market is the cause. Experts feel that tomato prices may go up to 300.

Tomato puree in demand

As the prices of fresh produce continue to skyrocket, online grocery delivery firms such as BigBasket, Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and offline retailers are experiencing a surge in demand for tomato puree and frozen vegetables, according to a report. Due to the high demand, retailers are running out of stock and manufacturers are increasing production.

( Dr Mysi Patil is the State Correspondent)