COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has forecast farmgate prices of ₹33-35 per kg for tomato, ₹35-37 for okra and ₹37-38 for brinjal during the harvest period. Farmers have been advised to plan their sowing decisions accordingly.The Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of TNAU’s Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies prepared the forecasts after analysing prices recorded over the past 15 years. Tomato and okra prices in the Oddanchatram and Coimbatore markets were studied, while brinjal prices in the Dindigul and Coimbatore markets were analysed.India, the world’s second-largest tomato producer, cultivates the crop on about 8.75 lakh hectares and produces around 227 lakh tonne as per the first advance estimates of the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare.Tamil Nadu accounts for about 0.44 lakh hectares and produces nearly 14 lakh tonne. Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Coimbatore, and Tirupur are among the state’s main tomato-growing districts. TNAU said tomato prices could vary depending on the monsoon and arrivals from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.India produces about 76.99 lakh tonne of okra from 5.63 lakh hectares in 2024-25. In Tamil Nadu, Dharmapuri, Salem, Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur are major cultivation centres. The crop is predominantly raised during Aadi Pattam (June to August) and Thai Pattam (February). Fresh supplies from Oddanchatram, Coimbatore and Hosur cater to wholesale markets and Uzhavar Sandhais across the state.Brinjal is cultivated on 6.89 lakh hectares nationally, with production estimated at 131.31 lakh tonne in 2024-25. Tamil Nadu produces 2.68 lakh tonne from 0.20 lakh hectares, with Dharmapuri, Salem, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri being key districts. Major arrival centres include Hosur, Dindigul, Salem and Coimbatore. Supplies also arrive from neighbouring states, while Tamil Nadu’s produce is marketed in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
