Lucknow, 15 Aug: Tomato prices in Lucknow have reduced dramatically due to the arrival of fresh material from Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
In the last five days, retail prices have dropped from ₹ 180 per kg to ₹ 100-120 per kg. Prices are expected to fall further in the following 15 days, according to traders.
According to traders, Himachal Pradesh, a significant supplier to northern markets such as Uttar Pradesh, witnessed tomato output climb from 2,000 metric tonnes to 26,000 metric tonnes in August, resulting in greater supply and price decrease.
From August to October, tomato output is predicted to increase dramatically in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh.
“Wholesale tomato price has dropped from ₹ 180 to ₹ 60 per kg in the last five days,” remarked a wholesaler on Sitapur Road. Prices are projected to fall further with the arrival of Maharashtra’s harvest. However, some dealers continue to sell it at ₹ 120 per kilogramme.”
Sonu Sonkar, another merchant, said they are now receiving 13 truckloads of tomatoes each day, up from three in July. “Many had stopped buying tomatoes due to high prices,” said wholesalers at Dubagga Mandi, “but the kitchen staple will now be back in demand. We expect tomatoes to be sold for ₹ 50 per kg in retail by the end of the month.”