India: Heavy rainfall cuts tomato arrivals by up to 60% in Maharashtra’s Junnar and Ambegaon

• Heavy rainfall cuts tomato arrivals by 50–60% in Junnar and Ambegaon.
• Waterlogging and disease damage crops, while prices remain stable.

Heavy rainfall has disrupted tomato harvesting in Maharashtra’s Junnar and Ambegaon tehsils, with prolonged waterlogging damaging crops and triggering fungal and bacterial diseases.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the region received over 200 mm of rainfall in 24 hours for four consecutive days, leading to extensive crop losses.

Arrivals decline sharply at Narayangaon APMC

Tomato arrivals at Narayangaon APMC declined by 50-60% after heavy rainfall affected key producing regions of Junnar and Ambegaon.

Daily arrivals fell from the usual 50,000-55,000 crates (20 kg each) to around 25,000 crates, while wholesale prices remained stable at INR 200-400 per crate due to continued supplies from other states.

Shelf life affected by continuous rainfall

Prolonged waterlogging has significantly reduced the shelf life of harvested tomatoes, with traders estimating that 10-20% of consignments are spoiling before reaching retail markets.

At the farm level, rising disease management costs have added to cultivation expenses, including investments in seedlings, fertilisers, pesticides, labour and staking, raising concerns among growers over recovering their production costs.

Farmers report extensive crop losses

Growers reported that prolonged waterlogging caused plant wilting, fruit rot and fungal infections, with crop losses estimated at nearly 50% in some fields.

Although experts recommended improved drainage and preventive fungicide sprays, continuous rainfall has limited their implementation.

Compensation demand grows

Farmer groups have sought a government assessment of crop losses, compensation, and stronger crop insurance support, citing recurring extreme rainfall as a growing challenge for vegetable cultivation.

Growers said consecutive years of weather-related losses, coupled with continued tomato supplies from other states, have limited the scope for price recovery and increased financial pressure on producers.

Outlook

Tomato arrivals at Narayangaon APMC are expected to remain below normal until weather conditions improve and harvesting resumes. While crop losses have tightened local supplies, continued inflows from other producing states are likely to limit any significant increase in wholesale prices in the near term.