Price of Tomato falls over 22 percent in a month due to better supply

The retail prices of tomatoes are declining with the fall in mandi prices. The all-India average retail price as of 14th November 2024 was Rs.52.35 per kg which is 22.4% lower than Rs.67.50 per kg on 14th October 2024. During the same period, the modal prices at Azadpur mandi declined by almost 50%, from Rs.5,883 per quintal to Rs.2,969 per quintal with the increase in tomato arrivals. A similar decline in mandi prices is reported from benchmark markets such as Pimpalgaon, Madanapalle and Kolar.

The total annual production of tomato, as per the third advance estimate of the Department of Agriculture is 213.20 lakh tonnes in 2023-24; a 4% increase over 204.25 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. Even though tomatoes are produced throughout the year, there is seasonality in the production areas and the quantum of production. Adverse weather conditions and slight logistics disruptions have significant impact on prices due to the high susceptibility of tomato crops and the high perishability of the fruit. The surge in tomato prices during October 2024 was due to excessive and prolonged rains in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The general seasonality in tomato production across various regions of India showed that October and November are the main sowing periods in major producing states. Continuous availability of tomatoes in the market, however, is ensured because of the short duration for cultivation of the crop and multiple picking of the fruits.

Even though the arrivals have subsided at major tomato centers in Madanappale and Kolar, prices have come down on account of seasonal arrivals from pockets in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat that have been filling the gaps in supply across the nation. As of date, the weather has also been favorable for the crop and also for maintaining a good flow across the supply chain form the fields to the consumers.