The surge in demand and limited supply caused tomato prices to skyrocket from Rs 60 to Rs 200 per kilo at the wholesale market within a span of 20-25 days due to low production and significant crop damage caused by persistent rainfall in July.

Providing a much-needed respite to household budgets, the drop in tomato prices brought considerable relief to consumers. The essential kitchen ingredient was trading at Rs 40 per kilo at Madanapalle, which stands as Asia’s largest wholesale market, on Friday.

Remarkably, fine-quality tomatoes had reached an unprecedented peak of Rs 218 per kilo on August 1. The scarcity of tomatoes in local markets was evident, attributed to heightened demand and inadequate supply.

Nonetheless, the scenario improved as tomato arrivals increased. The Madanapalle market witnessed the reception of 402 metric tons of tomatoes on Friday. This influx from Anantapur facilitated the reduction in wholesale prices, as noted by Jagadeesh, the secretary of the Gurramkonda market.

Anticipating further price declines, T Abhilash, secretary of the Madanapalle tomato market yard, stated that as the Anantapur region’s tomato production becomes more regular, prices are likely to decrease. Notably, tomatoes from local wholesale markets in Anantapur are being dispatched to West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Meanwhile, in the Kakinada town main market, tomatoes are currently being sold at Rs 47.50 per kilo as of Friday, leading to dwindling stocks in rythu bazaars within the district. Traders in other parts of the district are pricing tomatoes between Rs 60 and Rs 80 per kilo based on the variety. In contrast, tomatoes are trading at Rs 50 per kilo in the Kadapa district.

Expressing his perspective, K Siva, a consumer from Nellore City, mentioned, “We are purchasing tomatoes at Rs 60 per kg. Traders anticipate further price reduction within a few days. We’ve curtailed our tomato usage recently due to the steep price hikes.”