Tomato Prices Surge in Pune as Monsoon Disrupts Supply

Pune, 18th June 2025: Tomato prices in Pune and surrounding regions are expected to climb sharply over the next 10 days due to weather-related disruptions and quality issues, according to market sources at the Narayangaon tomato hub.

Currently, the wholesale price of a 20kg crate of tomatoes is around ₹450–₹500, but traders anticipate that this could double soon. “We may see prices touch ₹1,000 per crate in the coming days,” said Sharad Gongade, Secretary of the Narayangaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). “Even though the number of crates arriving daily is approximately 14,000, a surge in prices is likely due to changing quality and demand dynamics.”

The easing of heavy rainfall in recent days is expected to improve tomato quality, but not necessarily stabilize prices. “Now that rain intensity has reduced, the upcoming stock is likely to be of better quality, which often fetches higher prices,” explained Sarang Gholap, a trader at Narayangaon. “Maharashtra supplies a major chunk of its tomato produce to other states, so local availability could be affected despite an increase in arrivals.”

Retail buyers may soon feel the pinch. Prices that are currently in the range of ₹40–₹50 per kilogram are expected to jump to ₹60–₹70 per kilogram. “Tomato prices fluctuate drastically during the rainy season. The volatility makes planning kitchen budgets tough,” said Tanvi Gupta, a homemaker from Wanowrie.

Others have also noticed a drop in quality despite paying more. “Even with premium prices on quick commerce platforms, the tomatoes I receive are often damaged or soggy,” said Chhavi Sharma, a Baner resident.

Farmers, meanwhile, are still reeling from early monsoon losses. “Unseasonal showers in May destroyed nearly 70% of my tomato crop,” shared Rohit Pansare, a farmer from Junnar. “Even if prices rise, it’s not enough to recover what we’ve already lost.”

Traders noted that many of the tomatoes currently arriving in the market are smaller in size and show signs of damage. “We’ve seen produce with black spots and reduced shelf life,” said Amit Dangat, another trader at the Narayangaon market. “Some quality improvement is expected next week, but prices will continue to depend heavily on rainfall patterns.”

According to an official from the Pune APMC, the wholesale rate for tomatoes is hovering between ₹20 and ₹25 per kilogram at present. “The market arrivals are relatively steady for now, but any further weather disturbances could disrupt supply and push prices up,” the official added.

With the monsoon season in full swing, both consumers and farmers are navigating uncertain ground as tomato prices prepare to scale new highs.