New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs through an inter-ministerial committee today again reviewed inter alia, the prices and availability of Onions and Tomatoes. The meeting was attended by representatives of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Food Processing, NAFED, Mother Dairy, Kendriya Bhandar, Representative of Delhi Government, representative from APMC Azadpur and senior officials of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
During the meeting, it was informed that there have been some disruptions in the supplies because of Diwali Holidays and rains in some of the growing areas affecting harvesting. This has led to a rise in prices but the increase in arrivals which has begun would have a direct impact on arresting and then reducing the prices in the wholesale as well as the retail market.
It was also informed by a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture that harvesting of Kharif Onion is underway in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and has begun in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) and Rajasthan. Late Kharif sowing has been completed in Maharashtra, M.P. and Gujarat. As per reports received so far, area coverage under Kharif is expected to be more than last year.
In case of Tomatoes it was informed that harvesting is underway in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. While arrivals of Tomato has started improving, it has been somewhat affected due to heavy rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Arrivals are expected to improve during mid-November with harvesting taking place in Rajasthan, M.P., Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The following table shows the break-up of arrivals at Delhi Azadpur Mandi.
| Arrivals date at Delhi APMC | Tomatoes | Onions |
| 1st November | 531.1 | 769.5 |
| 31st October | 363.7 | 768.4 |
| 30th October | 487.8 | 814.5 |
| 29th October | 165.0 | 206.2 |
| 28th October | 268.2 | 236.7 |
To provide further relief to consumers, the following key decisions have been taken:
- Mother Dairy to augment their supplies of Onions by sourcing quality Onions from the open market for retailing in Delhi market. APMC Delhi will facilitate Mother Dairy in its operations.
- Steps are being taken to facilitate movement of Onions and Tomatoes.
- There are also reports that 80 containers of Onions have been imported from Egypt and Netherlands the supplies from which are likely to reach the markets.
