Bengaluru: After power tariff hike, the tomato prices, which have touched Rs 100 per kg in the state capital, are affecting the people.
Tomatoes are main ingredients for the local cuisine and middle and lower middle class are forced to prepare dishes and food without them. On the other hand, the development has made tomato growers happy in the state as it is fetching them good money after a long time.
The prices of tomatoes have touched Rs 100 per kg for first quality tomatoes at malls and supermarkets. The third quality tomatoes which are coming to local markets where the majority of households make purchases are costing Rs 60 to Rs 80/kg. The merchants explain that going by the trend, the prices will reach Rs 100/kg soon here as well.
The market sources explained that there is a huge drop in the arrival of tomatoes to the Kolar Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) this season. The market, which provides a major chunk of supply to Bengaluru saw 300 to 400 loads of arrivals. This season it has been reduced to 100 loads. The first quality tomatoes are being exported to Kerala and Gujarat states.
Market sources are expecting arrivals from Nasik. The production of tomatoes was hit due to leaf disease. However, the farmers, who managed to reap a good harvest, are happy with the profits they are making this season. Recently, the farmers had been protesting over the sharp drop in the prices of tomatoes by throwing the entire crop on roads.
The middle and lower middle class families, who are running their families with tight budgets, have replaced the tomato with tamarind for preparing food. The hotels have also stopped using the tomatoes and most of them have taken off tomato soup from the menu.
(IANS)
