Delhi-NCR: Amid Soaring Prices, NCCF To Sell Subsidised Tomatoes at Rs 60/kg From Monday

New Delhi: To provide relief from soaring tomato prices, the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) will start selling the product at a subsidised rate of Rs 60 per kg in the Delhi-NCR region from Monday.

The decision comes as tomato prices have surged due to supply disruptions caused by recent rains in production centres. While retail tomato prices in Delhi were reported by the Consumer Affairs Ministry to be Rs 77 per kg on July 27, prices have been as high as Rs 80 per kg in certain locations, depending on quality and locality.

Will Gradually Expand To Other Locations: NCCF

"The mega sale will commence on July 29, 2024, and will gradually expand to other locations in Delhi-NCR in the coming days," NCCF said in a statement.

The subsidised tomatoes will be available at various locations including Krishi Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Colony, Hauz Khas, Parliament Street, INA Market, and several areas in Noida, Rohini, and Gurugram, it said.

Initiative Aim To Provide Cost Relief To Comsumers

This initiative aims to stabilise the market and provide substantial cost relief to consumers. NCCF said the intervention underscores the government's efforts to mitigate the impact of rising food prices on consumers.

Notably, tomato prices are lower than Rs 165 per kg recorded in the same period last year. 

Delhi NCR: Tomato Prices Surged Upto Rs 100 Per Kg 

This action comes in response to a sharp increase in tomato prices, which last week reached Rs 100 per kg in the national capital's retail marketplaces. The rise has been attributed to adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat followed by heavy rainfall, which have disrupted supply chains across the country.

According to data from the Department of Consumer Affairs, on July 20, 2024, the retail price of tomatoes in Delhi was Rs 93 per kg, while the average price across all of India was Rs 73.76 per kg. "Prices of tomato, potato, and onion are ruling high in Delhi and some other cities. Extreme heat followed by spells of excess rainfall disrupted supplies, causing a spike in prices in consuming areas," said a senior official from the department, as per PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)