Relief on the way! Tomato prices in Delhi may drop as Maharashtra supply increases

Tomato prices in Delhi-NCR have surpassed Rs 100 per kg due to supply disruptions from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare announced that relief is expected soon with increased supplies from Maharashtra.

The government is selling tomatoes at Rs 65 per kg in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) to help ease the burden on consumers.

"While weekly arrivals have been impacted, we expect supplies from Maharashtra to improve shortly, which should help stabilise prices in the national capital," Khare said, adding that the government is maintaining strict vigilance on price movements.


The price increase is attributed to retreating monsoon rains causing crop damage and pest infestation in key southern states, coupled with higher demand during the festive season.

Since October 7, NCCF has sold around 10,000 kg of tomatoes through mobile vans and outlets in Delhi and Mumbai.

Khare added, "The retail intervention will continue until we see a meaningful impact on prices." The government is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to providing relief to consumers during this period.

The government's market intervention this time has extended beyond a week, reflecting the severity of the price surge and the administration's commitment to providing relief to consumers during the festive season.

To curb soaring onion prices ahead of the festive season, the government will transport 1,600 tonnes of buffer stock from Maharashtra to Delhi via railways—the first such move using rail for onions.

Dubbed the 'Kanda Express,' the special train will depart from Lasalgaon on October 20 and arrive at Delhi's Kishanganj station, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare.

The bulk delivery aims to stabilize prices in the Delhi-NCR region, where onions from the buffer stock are being sold at Rs 35 per kg, while retail prices in some cities reach Rs 75 per kg.

With inputs from PTI