From June, tomato prices had been at an all-time high of Rs 160–200 per kg, but now they are only costing Rs 60–80 per kilo in grocery stores.
According to APMC director Shankar Pingale, the wholesale price for first-quality tomatoes at APMC Vashi on Friday was Rs 35 and for second-quality tomatoes, it was Rs 25–30 per kg.
Since the new crop has started to make its way from South India and also Maharashtra, retail prices are expected to go back to their regular range of Rs 25–30 shortly.
Rohit Kesarwani, a shopkeeper in Matunga, stated, “Tomatoes sold for Rs 50–60 on Friday.”
Other vegetable prices have also dropped, from in the range of Rs 100–120 at the beginning of July to Rs 80–100 in August.
“Coriander is now sold for Rs 10 per bundle, a decrease from Rs 40, and green chillies are available for Rs 100 per kg, not Rs 200 as earlier,” remarked a grocery seller in Malad.
He said, “Ladyfinger, french beans, cauliflower, and brinjal are all more affordable at Rs. 80–100 per kg. Only the prices of tienda (round gourd) and Gavar (cluster beans) are high, at Rs. 100–120.”
By the first week of September, rates will drop significantly, according to traders. However, buyers are keen for the price of tomatoes to normalise to the average price of Rs 25.
“Because many farmers planted plenty of tomatoes after prices started increasing significantly in May and June”, a wholesale dealer from Byculla Market affirmed and said that they will for sure.
The Matunga Shopkeeper also said, “An abundance of fresh green peas have begun to arrive and are being sold for Rs 80–90 per kg. Old stock ginger costs Rs. 200 per kg while new ginger costs Rs. It was 300–350 earlier. Onion, cabbage, and bell pepper, however, are now more expensive. Retail onion prices have increased from Rs 22–25 two weeks ago to Rs 30-32 today.”
They were anxious to cash in on the gains, and now they receive enough new arrivals each day. Additionally, now some of them like ginger, green chillies, and coriander are back since they were previously not available.