Tomato prices soar as arrival plummets in Palacode market

Owing to the increasing summer heat, the arrival of tomatoes to the Palacode wholesale market, the largest in the state, has reduced from 100 tonnes to less than three tonnes a day, traders said.

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As a result, the kitchen staple which was sold for 7-10 a kg a few weeks ago is now being sold for 26-30 a kg. Blaming the intense heat for wilting the crops and destroying planted fields, farmers have urged the government to provide compensation.

The tomato market in Dharmapuri caters to Coimbatore, Salem, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni districts as well as Karnataka.

Between March 2023 and February 2024, tomato was cultivated in an area of over 11,000 hectares in the district with each acre producing over 35 tonnes per hectare. Dharmapuri contributes to 9-10% average in the state production, according to horticulture department sources.