NEW DELHI: The Central government said heavy rain in North and Northwest India has led to a temporary spike in the price of tomatoes in Delhi. The current average retail price of tomatoes in Delhi is Rs 73 per kg, while the rest of the country’s average price is Rs 52 per kg.
In order to cool down the tomato price, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation Of India (NCCF) has so far sold over 2.7 tonnes in the open market in Delhi at retail prices ranging from Rs 47 to Rs 60 per kg, depending on the procurement cost. NCCF’s stationery outlets at Nehru Place, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk, and Rajiv Chowk, as well as 6–7 mobile vans operating at various locations across the city
“It is primarily the result of heavy rainfall in the northern and northwestern regions of the country since the last week of July,” said the Department of Consumer Affairs in its release.
This weather-related disruption caused prices to spike to as high as Rs 85 per kg by the end of July. However, with the recovery and stabilisation of daily arrivals at the Azadpur mandi over the past week, both mandi and retail prices have begun to decline.
In contrast, major cities such as Chennai and Mumbai, which have not experienced abnormal weather conditions in recent weeks, have not witnessed a similar price surge. The current average retail prices of tomatoes in Chennai and Mumbai are Rs 50 per kg and Rs 58 per kg, respectively—substantially lower than the prevailing price in Delhi.
At present, the all-India average retail price of tomatoes is Rs 52 per kg, which is still lower than Rs 54 per kg last year and Rs 136 per kg in 2023.
“The central government has been actively monitoring and intervening to ensure stable prices of tomato, onion, and potato. Higher production of onion and potato, along with government buffer stock, ensures continued price stability,” mentions the release.
The government said, compared to previous years, prices of major vegetables like potato, onion, and tomato are under control this monsoon.
“In respect of potatoes and onions, higher production in 2024-25 over the previous year ensures sufficient supply and a substantially lower retail price over last year,” mentions the release. This year, the government has procured 3 lakh tonnes of onion for a price stabilisation buffer. Calibrated and targeted release of onions from the buffer is expected to start from September 2025.