Tomato farmers hope for a ‘bright’ summer in Madanapalle

The tomato market in Madanapalle in Annamayya district, considered one of Asia’s largest trading hubs, continued to witness subdued prices, though recent weeks saw a modest recovery following a sharp slump earlier in the season, aided by a slight increase in daily arrivals.

On Saturday (March 21), wholesale prices stood at ₹14 per kg for first-grade produce and ₹11 per kg for second-grade varieties, while arrivals were recorded at 98 tonnes. A similar trend prevailed in the subsidiary markets of Valmikipuram, Gurramkonda, and Kalikiri in the district.

The winter tomato season had concluded on a mixed note, marked by moderate production but weak market realisations. The Madanapalle belt witnessed extensive cultivation during the rabi season, with increased acreage driven by favourable returns in previous years. Farmers said yields ranged between 10 and 15 tonnes per acre, supported by stable climatic conditions and adequate soil moisture. However, weak demand from northern markets and metropolitan cities contributed to the decline in prices.

Despite moderate output, steady arrivals continued to put pressure on markets across Andhra Pradesh. Retail prices averaged around ₹100 for 6 kg of lower-grade produce, resulting in mixed returns for farmers. Many growers struggled to recover cultivation costs, estimated between ₹1 lakh and ₹1.25 lakh per acre in some parts of Chittoor and Annamayya districts, due to moderate to heavy use of fertilizers and maintenance costs, as against the average cost of ₹65,000 per acre.

With the winter season over, attention has now shifted to the ongoing summer crop. Horticulture officials said the season remained largely free from extreme weather conditions. “We expect stable weather till May to support yields, and fresh harvesting of early summer crops has begun,” an official said.

Farmers, however, remained cautious, citing continued price volatility and lack of effective stabilisation mechanisms.