Solan: Tomato growers struggle as prices fail to cover costs

Marred by inclement weather and abundant arrivals from other states, tomato growers in Solan district have failed to secure remunerative prices for their crop this season.

Tomato, the region’s principal cash crop, is marketed through the Solan Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), which also caters to growers from Sirmaur district. Arrivals began on June 7 and, till date, 1,07,001 crates (24 kg each) have been traded, generating business worth Rs 4.28 crore. Prices have ranged from Rs 400 per crate to Rs 2,900 for premium-quality Heem Sohna tomatoes.

Both production and prices have declined compared to the corresponding period last year. During the same period in 2025, 1,21,852 crates were sold. The minimum price then was Rs 600 per crate, while the highest touched Rs 3,800. The average price has fallen from Rs 2,100 per crate (Rs 87.5 per kg) last year to Rs 1,700 per crate (about Rs 70 per kg) this season.

“Superior-quality tomatoes from Bengaluru have dominated the national market, reducing demand for Himachal’s produce. Fewer traders from Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan have arrived in Solan to purchase the crop this year,” said Tirtha Nand, a Solan-based tomato trader.

He, however, expressed hope that demand would improve in the coming days as supplies from other states decline. Usually, tomato arrivals from other states taper off by mid-July, but this year they have continued to dominate the market.

Growers said heavy rainfall, high temperatures and disease infestation, particularly black rot, have adversely affected both yield and quality. Farmers cultivating tomatoes in polyhouses managed to secure relatively better prices.

They also pointed to rising cultivation costs, especially on pesticides, which had to be used more frequently because of adverse weather.

“Tomato cultivation is no longer a profitable venture as the market price is not even covering the cost of production,” lamented Sunil, a grower.