Tomato market prices are rising significantly across the country largely due to factors including early onset of winter leading to spike in demand and rains in October impacting the crops.
The department of consumer affairs data indicates that modal retail prices have increased by over 26% to Rs 48.23/kg on Monday compared to prices prevailing a month ago. Ashok Kaushik, a commission agent and member of Azadpur market tomato association, said that the average wholesale price at the one of the largest vegetable markets in India has declined to about Rs 28/kg – Rs 30/kg from Rs 40- Rs 45/kg three weeks ago.
What did Ashok Kaushik say?
“The retail price of tomatoes would continue at the elevated level for the next few weeks before declining as demand is robust in winter months against the production prospects,” Kaushik told FE. The market prices for premium tomatoes have gone up to Rs 60 to Rs 70/kg across major cities.
However current retail prices of tomatoes are around 4% below the prices prevailed a year ago. Retail tomato prices have been in the negative zones since May 2025 when it declined 10.71% on year because high prices prevailed a year ago. In October, 2025, retail prices fell by 54% on year due to increase in supplies.
Impact of excessive rainfall
However the excessive rainfall in October has adversely impacted crop yields, leading to a decrease in supplies.
Two weeks ago at the Andhra Pradesh’ Madanapalle agricultural market, one of Asia’s largest tomato trading hubs, wholesale tomato prices rose over Rs 61/kg from Rs 40/kg rain-related crop loss, reduced arrivals and higher transport costs.
However, traders said that prices have been increasing northward since last one month and the volatility in the tomato prices would continue for the next couple of months on robust demand.
Tomato production is estimated to decline to 19.46 million tonne (MT) in 2024-25 crop year (July-June) from 21.32 MT in 2023-24 crop year.
Around 18 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab contribute to the country’s tomato production.
According to a department of consumer affairs note, the cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in tomatoes.
“Tomato supply is spread across the country, any production vulnerability in any of the states disturbs the supply chain,’ the note stated. The department has identified June-August and October-November as lean production months when prices rise during these months.
Meanwhile, the modal retail prices of other essential vegetables such as onion has declined marginally to Rs 26.38/kg on Monday compared to prices prevailed a month back because of higher output. Potato prices have increased by 3% to Rs 26.17/kg compared to prices prevailed month back. However onion and potato prices have declined by 49% and 29% respectively compared to a year ago.