Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 11: Tomato prices have been rising with each passing day. As 14-kg boxes of tomatoes are fetching over Rs 1,200 each now, the famers who have just reaped the harvest are feeling very happy.

The prices of tomatoes had eased out a bit in November. But because of the fact that the quantity of tomatoes reaching the market has been less as compared to the demand, its price has been rising. Even the tomatoes which were earlier discarded as waste are fetching a good price. These tomatoes, which were earlier assigned to waste boxes, are now sold for over Rs 1,200 per box.

Normally the market gets 8,000 to 10,000 boxes of tomatoes every day. Sometimes there will be some ups and downs. Whenever the quantity of tomato inflow is less, the price goes up. A hybrid tomato known as 'Sahu' species commands a price of Rs 1,500 to 1,700 per box.

Because of excessive rainfall in some pockets, the crops have been affected. This has adversely affected the inflow of tomatoes in the market. The farmers expect the prices to go up. The commission agents too are gleeful. The farmers who failed to get a good price for their tomatoes in July 2020 due to excessive harvest, and had to throw away a large amount of tomatoes for lack of demand, have started smiling.