Rise in temperature impacts prices of tomatoes in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Tomato price has gone up as the stock produced in the district has come down in the past one week, increasing the dependence on the supply from places like Bengaluru and Madanapalle.

Since the local tomato produce is on the downslide, price of the tomatoes is hovering between Rs.24 and Rs.28 a kg in the recent past from Rs.16 and Rs.18 a kg.

Farmers in Sabbavaram, Chodavaram, Pendurti and K. Kotapadu, among other mandals have to make do with the limited stock available now. Deficit rainfall, soaring temperatures, dip in the yield and increased transport expenditure are some of the reasons attributed to the rise in tomato price.

It is not just the red-coloured vegetable that turned expensive, the price of leafy vegetables, cabbage and beans have also shot up. "Rise in mercury levels will impact the crops in summer. This apart, the demand-supply gap is another factor that led to the increase in tomato price, among other vegetables," reasons K. Varahalu, Estate Oofficer of Gopalapatnam Rythu Bazaar, indicating that the vegetable prices will remain high in the next few weeks.

Traders say that there is a 30% dip in the supply of tomatoes and such trend continues for the coming weeks as well.

About the requirement of tomatoes, estate officer at MVP Rythu Bazaar T. Linga Murthy elaborates, "With roughly 40-50 tonnes tomatoes arriving in the markets which is inclusive of the local produce plus the ones sourced from Madanapalle and Bengaluru, the demand-supply gap in all likelihood will increase further."

Suggesting better alternatives, Horticulture officer, Visakhapatnam, G. Radhika says, "Farmers should opt for the shade net concept where they can optimise the crop production. Erecting shade net can also be adopted to raise seedlings of various vegetables as well wherein farmers can expect healthy produce throughout the season."