Tomato Prices Soar Over Rs 100 Per Kg Due to Crop Damage in Maharashtra
Tomato prices have surged to over Rs 100 per kg in several markets across Maharashtra, with some regions witnessing rates as high as Rs 120 per kg.
The sudden price hike comes in the wake of unseasonal rains and a viral infection that have severely damaged the tomato crop in Nashik, one of the state’s key farming regions. The reduced supply has led to an increase in prices within just a week, causing concerns among consumers and traders.
Crop Damage and Reduced Cultivation Area Drive Prices Up
The spike in tomato prices is attributed to a significant drop in supply from Nashik due to the dual impact of heavy rains and a viral attack on the crop. Farmers in the region have reported that a 20 kg crate of tomatoes is now fetching between Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,600 in farm markets, resulting in retail prices ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg in cities like Nagpur. Even lower-grade tomatoes are being sold at Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg in local markets such as Gokulpeth and Cotton Market.
Some farmers have managed to profit from the elevated prices, but others have faced significant losses due to crop damage. Vilas Shinde, president of Sahyadri Farms, a prominent tomato buyer in the region, highlighted that the fluctuation in prices is not uniform across all farmers. “While some are benefiting from the high prices, many others have incurred losses,” he noted.
Supply Constraints Extend Beyond Maharashtra
The supply issues are not limited to Nashik alone. Traders in Nagpur, who typically source tomatoes from other states such as Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, are also reporting dwindling supplies from these regions. This has further contributed to the soaring prices.
However, the situation is expected to stabilize in about a month as fresh tomato supplies arrive from Western Nashik, though the yield is anticipated to be lower than usual.
Challenges in Other Agricultural Sectors
The disruption in the tomato supply chain comes at a time when farmers in Vidarbha are grappling with low market rates for soyabean, which are currently below the government’s minimum support price (MSP). Soyabean is being sold for Rs 3,800 to Rs 4,300 per quintal, compared to the MSP of Rs 4,892. Farmers have urged the government to open procurement centres to ensure better prices during the upcoming festive season. Additionally, the cotton harvest has been delayed by a week due to adverse weather conditions, adding to the challenges faced by farmers in the region.
This ongoing instability in both tomato and soyabean markets underscores the broader agricultural challenges in India, as unseasonal weather and fluctuating demand continue to disrupt supply chains and impact farmer incomes.
