Tomato prices in the Vashi’s APMC market took a nosedive on Monday, falling by a staggering Rs. 5 to Rs.10 per kg in the wholesale market. This sharp decline has left farmers grappling with significantly lower returns, adding to their mounting woes.

For the past two months, the price of tomatoes had been on an upward trajectory, prompting increased tomato cultivation across the state. To counter the soaring prices, the central government initiated tomato imports from Nepal. However, the surge in tomato production coupled with excess supply has led to a sharp drop in prices.

During the peak of the tomato price surge in July-August, only 15-20 vehicles were entering the market, resulting in retail prices of Rs.130 per kg and wholesale prices of Rs. 200 per kg. The situation has taken a complete turnaround, with a surge in tomato arrivals since the end of August and the central government's tomato imports. As a result, prices have now collapsed, with tomatoes selling at Rs.5 to Rs10 per kg in the APMC market, and farmers receiving a meagre Rs.3 to Rs.5 per kg.

Western Maharashtra has witnessed a substantial increase in tomato supply, with 43 trucks entering the APMC market on Monday, delivering a total of 1977 quintals. These tomatoes are currently being sold at Rs. 20 per kg in the retail market and Rs. 5 to Rs.10 per kg in the wholesale market.

The plight of the farmers is worsened by the ever-increasing production costs of tomato cultivation. Approximately one and a half to two lakh rupees per acre are spent on expenses such as planting, fertilizers, and harvesting. Just a month and a half ago, tomatoes were selling at a lucrative rate of Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2000 per crate. Today, they fetch only Rs. 80 to Rs. 90 per crate, resulting in farmers receiving a paltry income of Rs. 90,000 to Rs.1,00,000 per acre.