Retail tomato prices fell by 22.4% month-on-month in November, driven by improved supplies across the country, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said on Sunday.

The all-India average retail price of tomatoes dropped to Rs 52.35 per kg as of November 14, down from Rs 67.50 per kg a month earlier, according to an official statement.

In Delhi's Azadpur mandi, modal wholesale prices recorded a steeper decline of nearly 50%, falling from Rs 5,883 per quintal on October 14 to Rs 2,969 per quintal on November 14, due to increased arrivals.

Similar price corrections were observed in key markets such as Pimpalgaon in Maharashtra, Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh, and Kolar in Karnataka, the ministry noted.

"Though arrivals have subsided at major tomato hubs in Madanapalle and Kolar, prices have eased due to seasonal supplies from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat filling supply gaps across the country," the ministry explained.

India's tomato production for 2023-24 is projected to rise by 4% to 213.20 lakh tonnes.

While tomatoes are grown year-round, production varies seasonally across regions.

The ministry highlighted that the crop's high perishability and vulnerability to adverse weather make prices highly sensitive to disruptions in supply and logistics.

The October price surge was attributed to excessive and prolonged rains in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, key producing regions.

October and November mark the main sowing periods in major tomato-producing states. The ministry added that the short cultivation cycle and multiple harvests ensure regular market availability.