Tomato prices double to touch month's highest

    
NEW DELHI: Tomato prices recorded a steep 100 per cent jump and traded at Rs 700 per 25 kg in the national capital today on heavy buying by stockists in face of restricted arrivals from producing areas.
    
The wholesale price of tomato Solan-Simla variety quoted higher at Rs 700-850 per box of 25 kg, against Rs 300-375 traded a month ago. Similarly, Maharashtra variety shot up to Rs 750-875 per box of 25 kg against Rs 300-400 earlier.
    
"Heavy rains in September, mainly destroyed tomato crop in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, which caused a tight stock positions," said a Delhi-based trader Sagir Bhai.
    
The market lost balance against the demand from retailers and ketchup users this season, which remained the major force behind tomato prices to record high levels in the last two months, he said.
    
Another tomato wholesale trader Rajinder Karnalwale said the retailers suffered the most as tomato was being sold over Rs 50 per kg against Rs 25 in September month.
    
The current surge in prices has bucked the general trend of tomato, which sold at a lowest price during this period of time, he said.
    
Onion also faced an equally tight stocks position in the wholesale markets and edged up nearly 15 per cent during the month on aggressive buying.
    
Onion from Nashik rose to Rs 350-350 per bag of 40 kg against Rs 250-300 a month ago. Onion Rajasthan quality gained Rs 50 at Rs 250-300 per 40 kilo bag.