Amaravati, January 04, 2026: Madanapalle Agricultural Market Yard in Chittoor district is grappling with a severe supply crunch that has driven tomato prices higher.
Heavy November rains followed by temperature swings damaged crops in key growing areas like Valmikipuram, Nimmanapalle, Tamballapalle, and Punganur mandals, delaying harvests and slashing yields. Arrivals fell dramatically to 70 tonnes on recent days, a rare low for the hub that typically handles hundreds of tonnes daily.
The squeeze comes as demand rises from households, hotels, and catering units ahead of Sankranti festivities, plus ongoing seasonal observances. Buyers from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have ramped up purchases, pulling more stock away from local supply.
