Medak/Mancherial/Khammam: Tomato prices have once again started skyrocketing. The prices of this fruit, which made some farmers millionaires in June-July last year, have again started skyrocketing. On Monday, a kilo of tomato was sold for Rs 100 in Zaheerabad. Prices are almost at the same level in erstwhile Karimnagar, while prices in Khammam are reaching close to Rs 100. On Sunday, a kilo of tomato was sold for Rs 80. Not only tomatoes, but the prices of other vegetables and essential commodities including onions are also rising across the state. Tomatoes, which were sold for Rs 30 in the first week of June in erstwhile Medak district, reached Rs 80 to Rs 100 in different vegetable markets. This vegetable used in Telangana’s kitchen, was sold for Rs 100 in Zaheerabad. Usually, tomatoes come to the markets of Sangareddy, Siddipet and Medak districts from local farmers, as well as from Bowenpally market in Hyderabad and Vantimamidi in Siddipet district. However, the quantity of tomatoes coming to the markets here has reduced as compared to the previous months. Meanwhile, onions which were selling at Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg a fortnight ago are now priced at Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg, while the price of ridge gourd is also between Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kg, reportedly due to short supply in the market.
The price of cluster bean in erstwhile Medak has also shot up to Rs 80 per kg. The price of green chillies has shot up from Rs 80 per kg to Rs 120 per kg in a matter of weeks. The prices of leafy vegetables including coriander and mint have also shot up. K Padmini, a housewife from Sangareddy, said she is unable to get enough vegetables even after spending Rs 600 in the market as the prices of all vegetables have shot up.
Imported vegetables in Mancherial
To overcome the acute shortage of vegetables in Mancherial, vegetables are being imported from Madhya Pradesh, leading to a surge in prices. The prices of vegetables like tomato, onion, green chilli, ridge gourd etc. are skyrocketing in the district. Tomato was being sold at Rs 30 per kg in Mancherial a week ago, while now its price has gone up to Rs 60 per kg. The price of onion has increased from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 100 per kg. The prices of ginger and garlic have also increased. The lack of supply of vegetables by local farmers from Bellampalli, Luxettipet and other parts of the district and from neighbouring Maharashtra is being considered the reason for the inflation. Traders said that in view of the shortage of vegetables, they are now forced to import vegetables from Madhya Pradesh and other northern states. They estimated that this situation will continue for one or two months. They said that the prices will come down only when local farmers make vegetables available in the market. Tomato, ladyfinger, green chilli, potato and other vegetables in the erstwhile Khammam district, which were selling at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg till 10 days ago, are now selling at Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg. Tomatoes are selling at Rs 80 per kg, ladyfinger and green chillies at Rs 70, while leafy vegetables like spinach and coriander have also become expensive. A bunch of coriander leaves which used to sell for Rs 10 to Rs 20 is now selling at Rs 60 per bunch. Onions are selling at Rs 60 per kg.
