Tomato Prices Plummet in Tamil Nadu, Forcing Farmers to Destroy Crops

A dramatic collapse in tomato prices across Tamil Nadu has left farmers in dire straits, with many resorting to destroying their crops as market rates dip below production costs. Retail prices have fallen to as low as Rs 7 per kilogram, a sharp decline from Rs 200-280 per 14-kg box two months ago, driven by an oversupply from a bumper harvest, according to farmers and officials.

R.M. Senthilnathan, a farmer from Thumpichipalayam in Dindigul’s Oddanchatram taluk, told IANS, “I spent over Rs 5 lakh on fertilizers, pesticides, and fencing for my six-acre farm. For the past two months, I harvested 20 boxes daily, earning Rs 200-280 per box. Now, with prices at Rs 7 per kg, it’s not worth the effort.” He’s among those abandoning or trashing crops, a plight shared by Veerasamy R. from Karaipudur in Tiruppur, who gave away tomatoes before discarding the rest. “I spent over Rs 1 lakh on two acres, but with transport at Rs 30 per crate and labour at Rs 35, I can’t recover costs,” he said.

Horticulture officials point to high yields from villages like Amarakudi, Ayakudi, and Kallimandayam, fueled by favorable October weather. “The cool climate boosted production, leading to this surplus,” one official explained, forecasting a prolonged glut. Recent social media posts show farmers distributing produce for free, reflecting widespread frustration. In Tiruppur, nearly 100 small farmers are affected, with Veerasamy calling for a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 25 per kg—a plea gaining traction statewide.

This mirrors past crashes, like 2022’s Rs 2 per kg low, yet no MSP safeguards tomatoes, exposing farmers to market whims. While officials suggest prices may rebound soon, fields of rotting or dumped crops highlight Tamil Nadu’s challenge in reconciling agricultural abundance with economic sustainability.