Tomato prices in India have decreased, with wholesale rates at $0.07–0.14 per kg and retail at $0.17–0.24 per kg. This decline, due to increased supply, could persist for one to two months, benefiting consumers but impacting growers.
The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Navi Mumbai receives 40-50 truckloads of tomatoes daily, totaling 1,500–2,000 quintals. These tomatoes, sourced from Maharashtra's Satara, Sangli, Pune, Jalgaon, and Nashik, along with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bengaluru, fulfill demand in Mumbai and surrounding areas, keeping prices stable.
The surplus affects growers negatively. Labor costs for picking tomatoes are $0.24 per crate, while market prices range from $0.85-1.45 per crate, making harvesting financially unviable for many. Vinod Gangurde, a tomato grower, noted, "The government should compensate growers for their losses," as some growers have abandoned crops due to harvesting costs exceeding returns.
Initially, the harvest yielded good prices, but large arrivals in January and February led to price drops. Premium tomatoes now sell for $0.17–0.24 per kg, while lower-grade ones are priced at $0.06–0.08 per kg.
Gangurde criticized the government's import policy, stating that imports from Nepal have further reduced domestic prices. Growers struggle to cover costs, with tomatoes selling for $0.06–0.12 per kg, below production expenses. Laborers also face challenges, as their wages of $3.00–3.60 per day are unsustainable at these prices.
Growers face high costs for seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, along with climate change and unseasonal rains, affecting crops. Gangurde urges government intervention to support growers.
Source: Newsband