15 July 2023, Mumbai: The government has taken steps to assist consumers by offering kitchen essentials, particularly tomatoes, at a reduced price of Rs 90 per kg. This initiative comes at a time when tomato prices have surged across the nation, reaching as high as Rs 250 per kg.
To facilitate the discounted sale, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) are operating vans to sell tomatoes in Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, and other locations.
Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur: Locations for Discounted Tomato Sale Announced
The Department of Consumer Affairs Secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh, announced the sale of discounted tomatoes at various locations in Delhi, with plans to expand to Noida. Starting from July 15, the sale will also begin in Lucknow and Kanpur, with 15 mobile vans in each city.
Tomato Prices Surge: Government Initiative Aims to Help Consumers
Several locations in the Delhi-NCR region have been identified for the sale, including Faridabad, Gurugram, Greater Kailash, Dwarka, and Rohini, among others. In Lucknow, sites such as Bhootnath Market and Gole Market will be part of the initiative.
Rapid Sales: 80% of 17,000 kg Sold on First Day of Discounted Sale
The retail price of tomatoes has been rapidly increasing due to the lean season and frequent rainfall. On Friday, the prices reached as high as Rs 244 per kg in major cities. However, the discounted sale saw around 80% of the available 17,000 kg of tomatoes being sold on the first day.Anice Joseph Chandra, the managing director of NCCF, expressed plans to expand the reach and quantity of tomatoes in the Delhi-NCR region starting the following day.
Expansion Plans: Increased Reach and Quantity for Discounted Tomatoes
Government data reveals that the average retail price of tomatoes across India stands at Rs 116.76 per kg, with the highest recorded price at Rs 244 per kg and the lowest at Rs 40 per kg.
Tomatoes have become the most expensive food item in metro areas, with prices reaching Rs 178 per kg in Delhi, Rs 147 per kg in Mumbai, Rs 145 per kg in Kolkata, and Rs 132 per kg in Chennai.