The Department of Consumer Affairs has instructed the National Consumer Cooperative Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) to sell tomatoes at a retail price of Rs. 40/- per kg beginning August 20, 2023, in response to the ongoing decrease in tomato prices in both wholesale and retail markets.
The initiative to regulate tomato prices was launched on July 14, 2023, with the commencement of retail tomato sales in the Delhi-NCR region. Since then, the two agencies, NCCF and NAFED, have collectively procured over 15 lakh kg of tomatoes.
These tomatoes are being efficiently distributed to retail consumers across major consumption hubs nationwide, including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan (Jaipur, Kota), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj), and Bihar (Patna, Muzaffarpur, Arrah, Buxar).
Originally priced at Rs. 90/- per kg, the retail cost of tomatoes acquired by NCCF and NAFED was systematically adjusted to reflect the declining market prices, ensuring that consumers receive the benefit of reduced rates.
The latest downward revision was implemented on August 15, 2023, when the price was lowered to Rs. 50/- per kg. As of August 20, 2023, the price will be further decreased to an affordable Rs. 40/- per kg.
It's worth recollecting that the Department of Consumer Affairs had instructed NCCF and NAFED to initiate tomato procurement from markets in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. This procurement was strategically aimed at tackling the escalating prices in major consumption centers, which had experienced significant price hikes over the past month.
By engaging with market dynamics and taking decisive actions, the Department of Consumer Affairs is successfully curbing inflationary pressures, bringing relief to households and contributing to overall economic stability.
