Centre to procure tomatoes from Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra to ensure equal distribution

HYDERABAD: In a bid to control the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes, the Department of Consumer Affairs has taken a significant step by directing the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) to procure tomatoes from mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The move aims to ensure simultaneous distribution in major consumption centers across the country, with a particular focus on areas experiencing a sharp increase in retail prices.

The decision comes as part of the Centre's efforts to address the concerns of consumers, especially in the Delhi-NCR region, where tomato prices have seen a significant surge in the past month. The procured tomato stocks would be made available to consumers through retail outlets at discounted prices from this Friday.

To identify the targeted centers for distribution, the Department of Consumer Affairs considered the absolute increase in retail prices over the past month, particularly in areas where prices were already above the national average. Based on this analysis, key consumption centers in states with a higher concentration of these identified areas were selected for intervention.

While tomatoes are produced in almost all states of India, the southern and western regions contribute the most significant share, accounting for 56 percent to 58 percent of the country's production. These surplus states often supply tomatoes to other markets during different production seasons. The peak harvesting period for tomatoes falls between December and February, while July-August and October-November are typically lean production months.

"Unfortunately, the monsoon season in July further exacerbates distribution challenges and transit losses, leading to price hikes. Additionally, price fluctuations can also occur due to temporary disruptions in the supply chain or crop damage caused by adverse weather conditions," stated a release by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Presently, the majority of tomato supplies in markets across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and other states are sourced from Maharashtra, primarily from Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik. This supply is expected to continue until the end of this month. Notably, Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh has also been witnessing consistent arrivals of tomatoes in substantial quantities. In the Delhi-NCR region, the bulk of the supply comes from Himachal Pradesh, with a smaller portion sourced from Kolar in Karnataka.

"New crop arrivals are anticipated in the near future, particularly from Nashik district. Additionally, an increase in supply is expected from the Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt in August. The arrival of tomatoes from Madhya Pradesh is also set to commence soon. With these anticipated developments, prices are expected to stabilise, bringing relief to consumers," the release added.