Tomatoes are now being sold at Mother Dairy for $259 per kilogramme.

Tomato prices have risen once more in the nation's capital, with Mother Dairy selling the essential kitchen staple on Wednesday for a staggering 259 per kg through its Safal retail outlets.
Since more than a month ago, tomato prices have been under pressure as a result of supply difficulties brought on by heavy rains in the major producing regions.

Retail prices in the nation's capital had started to drop recently following central government intervention through the sale of tomatoes at a discounted cost since July 14, but have since firmed up due to a shortage.

According to data collected by the consumer affairs ministry, tomato retail prices reached 203 per kg on Wednesday, while they were ruling at 259 per kg at Mother Dairy's Safal retail locations.

"Due to unusual weather during the past two months, the availability of tomatoes has been impacted nationwide. Arrivals in Azadpur, the primary feeder for Delhi, have decreased significantly over the past two days as well. Prices have dramatically increased in wholesale due to a lack of supply, which has had an impact on retail costs as well "a representative for Mother Dairy stated.

Tomatoes were currently selling for between $170 and $220 per kg at Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, Asia's largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables.

"In the previous three days, the arrival of tomatoes has declined as the crop has been damaged in the growing regions due to severe rainfall," says Ashok Kaushik, president of the Azadpur Tomato Association.

Only six small trucks were able to transport the goods from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to Azadpur Mandi today, he claimed, adding that this caused prices to firm up.

But according to Mr. Kaushik, things should get better for the supply in the following ten days.