Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said that India has initiated tomatoes import from Nepal and the first lot of it is supposed to reach by Friday.
“We have initiated import of tomatoes from Nepal, by removing the import restrictions and the first lot of tomatoes from Nepal is likely to reach Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow by Friday itself,” she told the Parliament.
She revealed that procurement of tomatoes from tomato growing regions of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has already started and distribution of these through cooperative societies like NCCF, NAFED are happening. This has already started in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Rajasthan from 14 July and will continue.
“NCCF has distributed 8,84,612 kgs of tomatoes in Rajasthan, Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh and it’ll continue and increase it. Through ONDC also Delhi NCR citizens can procure tomatoes,” she further said.
FM Sitharaman informed the Parliament that prices in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have already decreased, the wholesale rate has come down below Rs 100. “Furthermore, we have also booked tomatoes from Kolar Mandi, which is coming to Delhi at Rs 85 per kg. NCCF is planning a mega sale of tomatoes in Delhi NCR region at a subsidised rate of Rs 70 per kg from this weekend itself,” she said.
One of the primary reasons behind rising tomato prices, as stated by wholesale traders, was supply disruptions caused due to heavy rainfall in the key producing regions.
Tomato prices have surged more than 1,400 per cent at the wholesale market to a record 140 rupees per kg in the past three months. In June and July the prices of tomatoes reached Rs 150 and Rs 170 per kilogram before cooling off temporarily.
Finance Minister Sitharaman also highlighted that 3 lakh metric tons of onions procurement has also been completed for the buffer.
