Tue Apr 08 00:47:00 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Tomato Prices Plummet to Record Lows, Leaving Farmers in Distress
**Bengaluru, April 8, 2025** – Tomato farmers in Karnataka’s Kolar district, a major vegetable-producing region, are facing severe hardship due to a dramatic price crash. Wholesale prices have plummeted to as low as ₹2-₹5 per kg, forcing many to leave their crops unharvested.
The cost of harvesting and transporting a 15kg box of tomatoes (₹70) now exceeds the market price in many cases (₹30-₹50), resulting in significant losses for farmers. This situation is mirrored in the neighboring Chickballapur district. While the low prices are unprecedented, farmers report a gradual decline over the past six months, accelerating in recent weeks.
Several factors are contributing to the crisis. Increased production, an influx of tomatoes from neighboring states, and reduced quality due to the leaf curl disease (“bingi”) have all depressed prices. A significant drop in exports to countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, attributed to the shorter shelf life of the tomatoes, further exacerbates the problem.
Despite the extremely low prices at the farm level, consumers in Bengaluru are paying ₹25-₹30 per kg. Traders attribute this discrepancy to increased transportation costs and necessary profit margins.
The contrast between the distress faced by farmers and the relatively higher prices in city markets highlights the challenges in the agricultural supply chain. The situation underscores the vulnerability of farmers to market fluctuations and the need for effective mechanisms to ensure fair prices and protect their livelihoods.
First Piper 