Tomato prices crash in Vijayanagara, farmers incur heavy losses

Vijayanagara: Tomato prices in Vijayanagara district have witnessed a sudden and sharp سقوط, leaving farmers and traders in distress. The price of a tomato box, which was earlier selling between ₹1,000 and ₹1,200, has now plummeted drastically to just ₹80–₹100, triggering panic among growers.

The steep fall has forced traders to sell tomatoes at throwaway prices, with reports indicating that 2 to 4 kg of tomatoes are being sold for as low as ₹20 in local markets. The unexpected collapse in prices has severely impacted farmers, many of whom had taken loans to cultivate the crop, hoping for stable returns.

Farmers say the situation has become financially unbearable, as the cost of production far exceeds the current market price. “We invested heavily in cultivation, including seeds, fertilizers, and labour. Now, we are not even able to recover basic costs,” a distressed farmer said.

Market experts attribute the price crash to a combination of domestic and international factors. One of the major reasons cited is the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the conflict involving Iran and Israel. Due to the unstable situation, tomato exports to certain countries have reportedly slowed down, leading to excess supply in local markets.

Additionally, disruptions in the hospitality sector have also contributed to the decline in demand. Traders point out that many hotels and eateries are not functioning at full capacity due to issues such as irregular LPG cylinder supply, further reducing bulk consumption of tomatoes.

The sudden mismatch between supply and demand has created a glut in the market, pushing prices to rock bottom levels. Traders say they are struggling to manage the excess stock, as transportation and storage costs are adding to their losses.

Agriculture experts warn that such price volatility is a recurring issue in perishable commodities like tomatoes, and without proper price stabilisation mechanisms, farmers will continue to suffer. They have called for immediate government intervention, including procurement support and minimum price assurance, to prevent further losses.

With no immediate relief in sight, farmers in Vijayanagara are left hoping for a quick recovery in prices, as the current situation threatens their livelihoods and adds to the growing agrarian distress in the region.