Tomato Price Rise Pushes Demand for 'Quick-Fix Solution'.
According to latest survey done by ASSOCHAM, due to steep rise in prices of tomatoes, more and more people have turned over to this 'quick-fix solution' like tomato puree/ ketchup which has shot up by 20-25% within two weeks to keep their kitchen budget intact. According Survey Demand for tomato puree/ ketchup increase by 25 pc.
Survey says that, about 72% of middle income group (MIG) and lower income group (LIG) find difficult to manage their household budget and squeezing families' finances to the lowest level due to sudden rise in price of vegetables like tomatoes, onion, ginger etc, according to a country-wide survey conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) under the aegis of ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).
This survey was conducted in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Over 1,000 employees and 1,000 housewives took part in it. The maximum impact was felt in Delhi-NCR followed Mumbai, Ahmedabad. Around 72% of lower middle class families have been forced to skip or squeezed their budgets for vegetables to keep their kitchen budget intact.
Mr. D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM while releasing ASSOCHAM Survey informed that the demands for tomato puree and ketchup, ginger-garlic pastes have gone up by 20-25% due to high fluctuations of market prices of vegetables.
A month ago, Tomato prices have increased to Rs. 65 per kg in Delhi from Rs. 40 per kg. The average prices of tomatoes across major cities have risen to Rs. 55/kg from Rs. 30 a month ago. Similarly, a week ago onion prices have increased to Rs. 37.52 per kg from Rs. 36.
According to survey, the local grocers have also increased stock of tomato puree/ketchup and ginger-garlic paste. In the last two weeks there has been a rise in sales of products such as puree, ginger-garlic paste, bhindi masala, chola masala etc, said local grocer.
Prices of tomatoes, onions besides fruits have gone up by 50-55%. one spends less on buying puree/ ketchup than a kilo of fresh tomatoes. The survey adds, packed food products appeared to be a better option for middle or lower income group.
Mr. Rawat said the sudden spurt in vegetables prices has hit the ordinary consumer, especially in metro cities. Consumers are now being forced to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables and turning to packaged foods. Several households are stocking up on packaged food, unable to afford fresh vegetables because fresh tomatoes priced anywhere between Rs 60 to Rs 65 a kg.
