Sat Jan 10 10:51:38 UTC 2026: ### Tomato Prices Plunge in Madanapalle as Northern States Achieve Self-Sufficiency

The Story:
Tomato arrivals at the Madanapalle wholesale market in Annamayya district have plummeted to a mere 45 tonnes on Saturday, January 10, 2026, marking the lowest daily arrival of the 2025–26 season. Despite this drastic supply reduction, tomato prices remain subdued, indicating weak demand from major consuming markets. The price slump is attributed to increased tomato cultivation in northern states, reducing their dependence on Madanapalle, which was once Asia’s largest tomato-growing belt.

Farmers are facing hardship as yields have dropped and prices have not responded positively due to the lack of external demand. Markets in Tamil Nadu are now supplied by Karnataka, while Hyderabad sources produce from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, further isolating Madanapalle’s tomato trade to local markets. Officials anticipate price volatility will continue until fresh harvests arrive around March.

Key Points:

  • Tomato arrivals in Madanapalle hit a season low of 45 tonnes on January 10, 2026.
  • Grade-I tomatoes were sold at ₹30 per kilogram, and Grade-II at ₹22 per kilogram on Saturday.
  • A week prior, Grade-I tomatoes sold for approximately ₹47 per kilogram.
  • Increased tomato cultivation in northern states has reduced their reliance on Madanapalle.
  • Tamil Nadu markets are now sourcing from Karnataka, and Hyderabad from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Key Takeaways:

  • Increased agricultural self-sufficiency in other regions of India is impacting the economic viability of traditional agricultural hubs like Madanapalle.
  • Market dynamics are shifting rapidly due to localized supply chains and reduced inter-state dependency.
  • Farmers in Madanapalle are facing significant financial strain due to lower yields and decreased demand.
  • Price volatility is expected to continue in the short term until new harvests become available.

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