Tomato prices have surged sharply in both wholesale and retail markets across India due to declining supply caused by continuous rainfall in key producing regions. In Maharashtra, average wholesale tomato prices at the Nashik and Pimpalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) rose by 38% over five days, increasing from approximately $0.22 per kg to $0.31 per kg. In Nashik city's retail markets, prices jumped from around $0.31 to $0.50 per kg over the past week.
Supply at Nashik APMC fell from 200 metric tons per day to 140 metric tons due to damage caused by persistent rain from May 6 to mid-July. New tomato plantings were also delayed, leading to reduced arrivals. According to APMC official Rajendra Khare, both crop damage and postponed planting contributed to the recent price increases. Good quality tomatoes at Nashik are selling at around $9.00 per 20 kg crate, while lower-grade produce fetches about $1.20 per crate. Current arrivals are primarily from Sinnar and Kalwan talukas. Kharif tomato planting has now started in Nashik, with activity expected to pick up by the end of July. The total area under kharif tomato cultivation is estimated at 21,000 hectares, with expected yields of approximately 35 tons per hectare.
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, similar weather disruptions have affected production. Wholesale prices in markets like Koyambedu in Chennai and Palacode in Dharmapuri have more than doubled from $0.12–0.24 per kg in June to $0.49–0.55 per kg. Traders attribute the steady price rise over the past week to reduced supply caused by rain-related crop damage.
In Dharmapuri, where tomatoes are grown year-round on 12,000 hectares, the cultivated area typically drops to 1,500 hectares during the monsoon season due to the risk of crop damage from heavy rains. Ongoing summer rains have led to a decrease in production and a corresponding price increase.
Tomato arrivals at the Koyambedu market have fallen by nearly 30%, dropping from 700 tons to 500 tons per day. M Thiagarajan, president of the Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit, and Flower Sellers' Welfare Association, stated that the reduction in supply and increased cultivation costs have driven prices up. P Ganeshan, a trader from Palacode, said the current supply situation and price levels are likely to persist for the next two weeks, describing the trend as a routine fluctuation.
Source 1: The Times of India
Source 2: The New Indian Express
