Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam has attributed the rise in tomato prices to declining supply due to continuous heavy rains in states including Andhra Pradesh.
He also said that the government was taking steps to control the price of tomatoes.
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been hit hard by continuous heavy rains, which have halved tomato production and halved supply, pushing up prices.
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Commenting on this, Minister MRK Panneer Selvam said that due to the continuous rains in Andhra Pradesh, the supply has come down and the price of tomatoes has gone up. The government is taking steps to control inflation. He assured that immediate steps would be taken to improve the farmer market project.
Wholesalers are selling a box of tomatoes (14 kg) for Rs.1200 and a box of Maharashtra tomatoes (25 kg) for Rs.2200. Tomatoes sell for up to Rs. 120 per kg at retail outlets.
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In Chennai, a kilo of tomatoes sells for Rs 120 to Rs 130 on Tuesday.
By district Tomato prices (1 kg):
Tirupati, Ambo, Coimbatore, Thiruvarur, Udagai, Sankagiri, Krishnagiri Rs.
Salem Rs.100-Rs.120
Ottanchatram Rs.115
Erode Rs.110
Mayiladuthurai 1 kg – Rs. 100
Vellore, Madurai, Ranipettai from Rs.70 to Rs.100
Thiruvallu, Nagapattinam, Virudhunaga, Namakkal Rs. 90
Sivagangai, Dharmapuri, Osho Rs. 80.
Kanchipuram Rs.80-Rs.100
Theni, Dindigul Rs. 70
Bangalore Rs.120.
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