Delhi tomato price cools to Rs 73/kg from Rs 85 in July-end; 'thali' rates easing?

The central government said on Friday that a calibrated and targeted release of a 3-billion-tonne buffer -- which it has procured this year -- is expected to be released from September. The government closely monitors the demand and supply dynamics of staples such as onion in the market and intervenes whenever needed in order to keep the prices in check. 

The price and availability scenario of onions, tomatoes and potatoes -- heavily used kitchen staples across the country -- is monitored closely for this purpose. 

A higher onion and potato production as well as government buffers have kept the prices in check, and the all-India average tomato price remains low despite a temporary spike in the national capital, said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

The development comes at a time when domestic food prices have largely remained stable and well-contained in 2025 so far.

Homemade thali cheaper by 14% in July owing to easing food inflation  

The government said there was a 14 per cent year-on-year fall in the cost of a homemade thali (assorted platter) in July 2025, reflecting the continued moderation of food inflation.

As of Friday, the prices of most commodities monitored by the consumer affairs department are either stable or declining compared to the previous year.

The department said that retail tomato prices in various centres are influenced by temporary localised factors instead of any fundamental shift or imbalance in demand-supply dynamics or production shortfall.

Tomato supplies at Rs 47-60/kg 

Cooperative NCCF has been retailing tomatoes at minimal margins after procuring them from Azadpur mandi (wholesale market) since August 4.

As of date, NCCF has sold 27,307 kilograms of tomatoes at retail prices ranging from Rs 47 to Rs 60 per kg (depending on the procurement cost).

It is also conducting retail sales through its stationary outlets at Nehru Place, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Rajiv Chowk, and through 6–7 mobile vans operating at various locations across the capital city. 

The initiative has helped contain the average tomato price in the national capital at Rs 73 per kg, from Rs 85-odd levels around July-end owing to heavy rainfalls in the northern and north-western regions of the country.

The recovery and stabilisation of daily arrivals at Azadpur over the past week has helped in cooling wholesale and retail tomato prices.

Other metros, like Chennai and Mumbai, saw no such disruption thanks to normal weather conditions during this period.

Tomato price at Rs 58/kg in Mumbai, Rs 50/kg in Chennai

As of date, retail tomato prices are recorded at Rs 50 per kg in Chennai and Rs 58 per kg in Mumbai.

The all-India price -- thanks to normal prices in Mumbai and Chennai -- stands at Rs 52 per kg despite the spike in Delhi. Yet, the average rate is lower than Rs 54 per kg in 2024 and Rs 136 per kg the year before.

Tomato, onion, potato prices under control this year

Thanks to timely and bountiful monsoon rains, the prices of vegetables like potato, onion and tomato are under control this year compared to the past few years.