Hubballi: Tomato prices increase exponentially in the retail and wholesale markets in Hubballi and other districts in the North Carnataka region after heavy rains.
A few days ago, tomato farmers in Koppal, Dharwad and other parts protested when the price of tomatoes fell to Rs 2 to Rs 2 per kg for throwing tomatoes on the road.
Now, the picture is completely different from tomato farmers now reaping great profits.
Tomatoes have shot up to Rs 60 to 70 per kg in the Hubballi retail market and other districts 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 get only 30 to 40 boxes every day.
Each box contains 25 to 26 kg of tomatoes.
The lack of sudden tomatoes in the wholesale market has pushed the price of tomatoes,” he said.
There is not enough supply from local tomato farmers from the 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.
Previously, the price of tomatoes per box floated between Rs 60 to 80 but has now 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, the APMC trader said.
Muttu Bhupalil, 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 the plants on my 2 hectare land.
But now, I enjoy better profits even though tomatoes Very low.
Because of low yield, 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 plants with heavy rain, “he said.
Vijayakumar Ryagi, Assistant Senior Director at the Horticulture Department in Hubballi admitted that there was a big decrease in tomato results now due to rainy rain.
Tomato plants have rot after excessive 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 plants from heavy rain and prematurely,” he said.