Hubballi: Tomato prices have increased exponentially in the retail and wholesale markets in Hubballi and other districts in the North Karnataka area after heavy rain.
A few days ago, tomato farmers in Koppal, Dharwad and other parts protested when tomato prices fell to RE 1 to Rs 2 per kg for throwing tomatoes on the road.
Now, the picture is completely different because tomato farmers now reap big profits.
Tomato prices have shot up to Rs 60 to 70 per kg in the Hubballi and other retail markets in North Karnataka.
SARFRAJ AHAMED VADDO, a wholesale tomato trader at APMC in Hubballi, told TI that the stock arrived at APMC had dropped significantly in the past few days.
“Previously, we used to get 100 to 150 tomato boxes but now we only get 30 to 40 boxes every day.
Each box contains 25 to 26 kg of tomatoes.
Suddenly the lack of tomatoes in the wholesale market has pushed tomato prices,” he said.
There is enough supply from local tomato farmers from Dharwad District, Harpanahalli, Davangere and Kolar.
The majority of products are damaged due to heavy rain and prematurely in the last 2-3 months which caused shortcomings in the market, he said.
May, the price of tomatoes per box floated between Rs 60 to 80 but now it has surged to Rs 1,000 to 1,200 per box in APMC.
As a result, the price of tomatoes in the local retail market has increased to Rs 50 to 60 per kilogram.
Tomatoes tend to be expensive for a few more days, said the APMC.Muttu Bhupalil trader, a tomato planter in the village of Govankoppa in the Dharwad district, said: “I suffered a big loss when the price of tomatoes fell six months back and I had to destroy plants on my 2 hectare plants.
But now, I enjoy better advantage even though the results of tomatoes are very low.
Because of low results, I can get only 60 to 70 boxes in one hectare of 100 to 120 boxes in the normal season.
Many tomato farmers have lost their crops with heavy rain , “he said.
Tomato plants have rot after excess rain in Dharwad and other districts.
“When tomatoes can be planted throughout the year, farmers must carry out the right treatment of seeds to protect them from heavy rain and prematurely,” he said.