2025 climate shocks and market dynamics cripple Madanapalle tomato sector

The Hindu
The Hindu
48m ago
6 views
Madnapalle's tomato production dropped sharply in 2025 due to extreme weather and market changes, hitting farmers with heavy financial losses.
2025 climate shocks and market dynamics cripple Madanapalle tomato sector
A What happened
The Madanapalle region, Asia's largest tomato belt supporting about half of Andhra Pradesh’s tomato production, suffered a sharp decline in 2025. Prolonged summer heat stress caused flower drop, cutting productivity by nearly 40%, while excess moisture and fungal infections affected yields. Cyclones further damaged crops. Market arrivals fell from 1,000 to below 100 tonnes daily. Prices soared early in the year but crashed below production cost later, compelling distress sales. Tomato cultivation expansion in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh eroded local market share and exports. Attempts to shift farmers to alternative crops have met resistance, prolonging financial distress among producers.

Key insights

  • 1

    Climate vulnerability undermines traditional farming resilience: Heavy dependence on conventional farming practices without scientific adaptation makes Madanapalle tomato production highly susceptible to extreme weather shocks, causing dramatic yield and quality losses.

  • 2

    Market volatility exacerbates farmer financial instability: Wild price swings—from record highs to distress sale lows—reflect supply shocks and external competition, destabilizing farmer incomes and discouraging investment.

  • 3

    Regional competition reshapes crop economics: Expansion of tomato farming in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh has reduced demand and export opportunities for Madanapalle producers, highlighting the impact of evolving agricultural geography on local livelihoods.

Takeaways

The 2025 combination of climate extremes and shifting agricultural landscapes revealed structural weaknesses in Madanapalle's tomato sector, underscoring the need for climate-resilient farming and diversified livelihoods.

Topics

Climate & Environment Agriculture Business & Markets Economy Climate World & Politics Policy & Regulation

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