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India: Tomato prices in Maharashtra plummet as supply surge leads to oversupply and farmer losses

In Maharashtra, including key cities like Pune and Mumbai, there has been a notable decrease in tomato prices due to a surge in supply within the wholesale sector. Presently, the wholesale price range for tomatoes is approximately $0.05 to $0.06 per kg, with retail prices ranging between $0.18 to $0.24 per kg. This marks a stark contrast to the situation last August, when limited supply, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, pushed retail prices up to $1.20 per kg. The lucrative prices at that time motivated farmers in districts such as Pune, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Nashik, and Solapur to extensively cultivate tomatoes, leading to the current oversupply and subsequent price drop.

Contributing to the supply glut, significant quantities of tomatoes are being dispatched to Pune and Mumbai from areas within the Pune district like Khed, Manchar, Ambegaon, and Junnar. Vilas Bhujbal, a Senior Commissioning Agent at Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard in Pune, reports a daily arrival of 8,000 to 9,000 boxes of tomatoes, nearly twice the typical volume, which has directly impacted prices.

This downturn in prices has adversely affected local farmers, many of whom are facing difficulties in even recouping costs related to transportation and market fees. Ajit Tambe, a tomato grower from Varude in Pune's Shirur taluka, highlighted the grim reality, stating, "Harvesting and transporting tomatoes has become unaffordable. Each crate, holding 22 kg, sells for just $0.85 to $1.00 in the wholesale market. At these rates, we have no choice but to throw tomatoes away." Additionally, a reduction in demand from neighboring states has further exacerbated the situation for these farmers, dampening their expectations for better earnings.

Source: Punekar News

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