Centre directs NAFED, NCCF to procure tomatoes from Andhra, Karnataka to distribute in NCR

To check the soaring prices of tomatoes, the central government has directed National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) to procure tomatoes from mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and distribute them in major consumption centres where retail prices have recorded maximum increase in the last one month, the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement.

Tomatoes will be distributed through retail outlets at discounted prices to consumers in Delhi-NCR region by July 14, it added.

The prices of tomatoes have risen 326.13% in the last one month, according to the government’s own data. The situation has been worsened due to the incessant rains in hilly states such as Himachal Pradesh which is the primary supplier of the kitchen staple and other vegetables to the national capital and near by areas.


Tomatoes will be distributed in areas where the retail prices over the past one month are above the All-India average.

Tomato is produced almost in all the states in India, though in varying quantities. Maximum production is in southern and western regions of India, contributing 56%-58% of all India production. Southern and Western regions being surplus states, feed to other markets depending on production seasons. The production seasons are also different across regions. The peak harvesting season occurs from December to February.

The periods during July-August and October-November are generally the lean production months for tomatoes, the department said in a statement adding that the month of July, witnesses high tomato prices as due to the monsoon season which disturbs the distribution network and increases transit losses.

Currently, the supplies coming to markets in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and some other states are mostly from Maharashtra especially Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik which is expected to last till this month end. Madanapalle (Chittoor) in Andhra Pradesh also has continued arrivals in reasonable quantities. The arrivals in Delhi-NCR are mainly from Himachal Pradesh and some quantity comes from Kolar in Karnataka.

New crop arrivals are expected soon from Nashik district. Furthermore, in August, additional supply is expected to come from Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt. Madhya Pradesh arrivals are also expected to start.