About 5 tonne tomatoes imported from Nepal in transit; to be sold in UP tomorrow at subsidised rate

About 5 tonne tomatoes imported from Nepal in transit; to be sold in UP tomorrow at subsidised rate

The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) has announced that approximately 5 tonnes of tomatoes imported from Nepal are currently in transit and are scheduled to be made available for retail in the state of Uttar Pradesh. These tomatoes will be offered at a subsidized price of Rs 50 per kilogram, aiming to provide consumers with an affordable option.

The NCCF has entered into a contract for the import of a total of 10 tonnes of tomatoes from Nepal, signifying efforts to address supply and demand dynamics in the region. This move comes as a response to market conditions and aims to offer relief to consumers by providing an accessible source of tomatoes at a reasonable rate.

The initiative by NCCF underscores the cooperative’s commitment to facilitating the availability of essential commodities, such as tomatoes, at affordable prices for consumers in Uttar Pradesh. This step is in alignment with efforts to stabilize prices and ensure the accessibility of such essential food items for the benefit of the public.

The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) is actively engaged in both importing and domestically procuring tomatoes on behalf of the central government. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide relief to consumers who have been facing elevated prices of this essential kitchen staple.

By sourcing tomatoes through both imports and domestic procurement, NCCF aims to ensure a stable supply of tomatoes and make them available to consumers at a subsidized rate. This approach is designed to alleviate the financial burden on consumers and offer them access to tomatoes at a more affordable price point.

NCCF’s efforts reflect its commitment to addressing the challenges posed by fluctuating tomato prices and ensuring that consumers have access to this essential commodity without bearing the brunt of escalating costs. Through these measures, the organization is contributing to the goal of stabilizing essential food prices and supporting consumers in managing their household expenses.

Under the guidance of the Union consumer affairs ministry, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) has taken up the responsibility of retail intervention to address tomato price concerns.

Anice Joseph Chandra, the Managing Director of NCCF, conveyed that they have entered into a contract for importing 10 tonnes of tomatoes from Nepal. A portion of this quantity, approximately 3-4 tonnes, has already been distributed in Uttar Pradesh. An additional 5 tonnes are currently in transit and will be made available at subsidized rates in Uttar Pradesh the following day. It’s important to note that the imported tomatoes are limited to Uttar Pradesh due to their short shelf life, rendering them unsuitable for distribution in other parts of India.

In Uttar Pradesh, NCCF is adopting a multi-faceted approach to retailing tomatoes. Both imported and locally-procured tomatoes are being sold through fixed retail outlets as well as mobile vans stationed at specific locations. In Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan, the federation is offering tomatoes acquired from key tomato-producing states in the country at a subsidized cost of Rs 50 per kilogram.

NCCF’s initiative demonstrates its commitment to stabilizing tomato prices and making this essential ingredient more accessible to consumers across different regions. By executing retail interventions and strategic distribution, the organization is contributing to efforts aimed at easing the financial burden on consumers and ensuring the availability of tomatoes at affordable rates.

Regarding the prospect of future tomato imports from Nepal, Anice Joseph Chandra stated that they will be executed in a carefully managed manner, considering the commencement of domestic tomato arrivals in various states. With the beginning of the new tomato crop in wholesale markets in states like Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, the supply to mandis has commenced, and this is helping to moderate prices.

According to government data, the all-India average wholesale price of tomatoes has declined to Rs 88.22 per kg as of August 15, in contrast to the figure of Rs 97.56 per kg observed a month earlier. Similarly, the all-India average retail price of tomatoes has decreased to Rs 107.87 per kg from the previous Rs 118.7 per kg registered a month ago.

The pressure on tomato prices has primarily arisen due to heavy rainfall impacting key tomato-producing areas. The market situation has prompted the need for interventions to ensure that consumers have access to tomatoes at reasonable rates, and NCCF’s actions align with this objective by offering imported and locally-procured tomatoes at subsidized prices in various regions.