Public, traders relieved as tomato is now Rs 60 a kg

Traders at Koyambedu market said that the number of lorries transporting tomatoes, has increased to 70 from 35. Since prices have reduced in the main market, vendors at retail shops started selling tomato at Rs 60 to 70. The harvesting of tomatoes in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and neighbouring states is in full swing resulting in large inflow to the city markets. 

VR Soundararajan, president of wholesale vegetable, flower and fruit market, said, “The consumers can heave a sigh of relief, as the rate of tomatoes has drastically come down. We are also in the hope that prices will continue to reduce in the coming days, as farmers have been cultivating tomatoes in many areas.” 

Earlier, harvested tomatoes were largely being supplied for domestic purposes and it led to decline in the arrival of such vegetables to markets in Tamil Nadu, resulting in the price jump, Soundarrarajan added. Meanwhile, consumers and hotel owners are a happy lot in the city. 

“Tomato is an essential commodity, we have to buy it regularly. As prices of tomatoes went up to Rs 120 earlier, we bought them in small quantity. We even stopped preparing tomato rice in our restaurant,” said R Kamaraj, a restaurant owner in the city. 

It may be noted that the prices of tomatoes had gone up to Rs 120 a kg due to short of supply. The inflow  from neighbouring states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh had reduced leading to increase in prices.