The Indian tomato market is facing a severe crisis as prices have plummeted to unsustainable levels, forcing farmers to feed their produce to cattle. This drastic measure reflects the desperation among farmers who are unable to recover even their production costs due to the oversupply and weak demand for tomatoes.
The average wholesale price of tomatoes has fallen significantly, with some markets reporting prices as low as ₹300 per quintal. Retail prices vary across cities, with prices ranging from ₹19 to ₹115 per kilogram depending on the location.
Many farmers are struggling to sell their produce, leading to a situation where they are forced to discard tomatoes or use them as cattle feed. The lack of profitability has resulted in financial losses for farmers, who are unable to cover their costs.
Experts predict that tomato prices might stabilize or rise slightly during the summer months (March to April 2025) due to seasonal demand, with prices potentially reaching ₹850 to ₹1,050 per quintal. There are calls for government intervention to support farmers through subsidies or price support mechanisms to mitigate their losses.
The price collapse has left many farmers facing financial hardship, threatening their livelihoods. Repeated instances of price volatility are eroding farmers' confidence in cultivating tomatoes, which could impact future production levels.
The tomato price crisis highlights the vulnerability of India's agricultural sector to market fluctuations. Farmers struggle to cope with the aftermath, it is essential for policymakers to address these issues through sustainable solutions that ensure fair prices and stable incomes for farmers.