On Saturday, tomato cost Rs 80-120 per kilo in Andheri West and Byculla, Rs 100 in Khar Market, 100-120 in Bandra and a significantly higher rate of Rs 140 in Dadar-Matunga.
“Over the two months since prices began to rise in May, farmers had ample time to sow new crop. So far much of the arrivals were from Bengaluru but now new tomato has begun arriving from other parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra as well. Once the local produce arrives in larger numbers by the end of August, rates will fall further,” said a vegetable wholesaler from Borivli.
Raja Patil, a vendor in Khar Market, said good quality tomato sold for Rs 100 on Saturday. However, consumers are eager for prices to normalise to Rs 25-30 which is the average cost.
Meanwhile onion rates have begun to rise marginally from Rs 28-30 to Rs 30-35 — and garlic has attained an exorbitant Rs 360, up from Rs 260-280. A Byculla trader said, “While the eyes of everyone are on tomato, garlic has become dauntingly expensive.”
Rohit Kesarwani, who runs wholesale and retail vegetable supplies in Dadar and Matunga said, “We are selling tomato for Rs 140 at present. But rates will decrease shortly. Also cabbage has become expensive from Rs 10-16 to Rs 40-48 per kilo. And bell pepper (capsicum) is rising to Rs 320/ kg.”
He said, “Chillies have become cheaper at Rs 48-56 per kg, down from Rs 200-250 in recent weeks. And fresh green peas have started arriving abundantly that are selling for Rs 80-90 kg. New ginger costs Rs 120 kg and old stock is Rs 200.”
Ginger had escalated to Rs 350 pr kg over the past two months, diluting the flavour of the favourite ginger tea at stalls citywide.
