MUMBAI, 2 June 2025: The early arrival of the southwest monsoon, combined with a significantly wet May, has had a marginal adverse impact on key vegetable crops such as onions and tomatoes in Maharashtra and Karnataka, two of India’s largest horticultural states.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the country received over 85?ove-normal rainfall in May. Maharashtra saw 159.4 mm of rain against a normal of 14.4 mm, while Karnataka received 219 mm, a whopping 197?ove normal.
Farmers and traders report that although around 95% of the rabi onion crop in Maharashtra had already been harvested and stored by mid-May, excess rainfall affected a small portion of the standing crop. Maharashtra, which contributes over 40% of India’s onion production, is still expected to produce 22.7 million tonnes of rabi onions in the 2024–25 crop year—an 18% increase over the previous year.
In contrast, tomato crops in Karnataka’s Kolar district, a major producing region, have taken a hit from the heavy rainfall. Wholesale mandi prices for tomatoes have jumped 10–25% in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka over the past week. Prices rose from ₹1250 to ₹1500 per quintal in just seven days, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs.
However, retail prices remain stable for now, with modal prices for tomatoes and onions at ₹20/kg.
“The real impact of unseasonal rain on crop output and prices will be seen after a month,” said Ashok Kaushik, a tomato trader at Delhi’s Azadpur mandi, one of Asia’s largest wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables.
Officials also warned that other vegetable crops could be affected by the pre-monsoon showers, though overall horticulture production remains robust, suggesting that agriculture sector value addition is unlikely to suffer significantly this year. Horticulture contributes nearly a third of the sector's gross value added.
Meanwhile, kharif sowing of crops like paddy and pulses has begun a week early in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to the early rains.
The southwest monsoon, which arrived in Kerala on May 24—eight days ahead of schedule—advanced rapidly across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the northeast. However, monsoon progression has since stalled due to dry air intrusion and is expected to resume after June 10, according to the Met Department.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the Northeast for the next two days, while northwest India will see thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next three days.
Image credit: insightsonindia.com
