India: Heavy tomato arrivals drive sharp price decline in Nashik

• Pimpalgaon modal prices plunge 73% to INR 605/quintal on 22 Oct’26
• Surplus arrivals, weak demand intensify pressure on tomato farmers

Tomato farmers in Nashik, Maharashtra, are facing a sharp decline in market realisations amid challenging growing conditions and a surge in arrivals at Pimpalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). The sudden glut in supply, coupled with sluggish demand from major consuming states, has driven wholesale prices to distressing lows for local growers. As a result, many farmers are struggling to recover even their basic transportation and harvesting costs.

Tomato modal prices plunge amid excess supply, weak demand in Nashik

Tomato prices at Pimpalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Nashik, Maharashtra, have weakened sharply in October as heavy arrivals coincide with subdued demand, intensifying pressure on farmers already facing drought-related challenges and rising cultivation costs. Agmarknet data show that the modal price declined to INR 605/quintal on 21 October 2026 from INR 2,205/quintal on 1 October, a fall of around 72.6%. The price drop stems from a sharp crash in tomato rates at the Pimpalgaon APMC, driven by surplus supply, subdued buyer interest, and falling demand across major consuming states.

Modal prices weaken despite fluctuating arrivals

Tomato modal prices declined through October, despite intermittent recoveries. Rates fell to INR 1,155/quintal on 12 October and INR 755/quintal on 19 October, before briefly rising to INR 905/quintal on 20 October. They then dropped to INR 605/quintal on 21 October. Over the same period, daily arrivals fluctuated considerably, ranging from 1,422.8 tonnes on 18 October to 9,632.2 tonnes on 19 October.

The Pimpalgaon APMC received around 3 lakh to 3.75 lakh crates daily over the preceding week, while high temperatures accelerated ripening and increased the volume reaching the market, according to market participants. Weaker demand during Navratri, lower export demand and reduced purchases from states meeting their needs through local supplies further constrained market absorption.

Outlook

Tomato prices at Pimpalgaon APMC may remain under pressure if arrivals continue to exceed buying demand. The modal price of INR 605/quintal on 21 October indicates a weak market, while the reported retail decline in Nashik suggests that wholesale weakness is also reaching consumers. However, the pace of any further correction will depend on daily arrivals, produce quality and demand from outside Maharashtra.

For growers already facing drought conditions and higher cultivation costs, the sharp decline in modal prices compounds pressure on farm returns. A sustained recovery would likely require lower market arrivals or stronger demand from consuming regions.