Marayur (Idukki): The price of tomato nosedived in the vegetable markets on Kerala border. One kilogram tomato costs only Rs 4. A box of tomato which contains upto 14 kilograms fetched maximum Rs 50. However, tomato brought to Kerala via middlemen costs upto Rs 20-25 per kilogram.

Tomato is available for cheap rate in the markets in Udumalpet, Pollachi, Tirupur, Pazhani and Oddanchatram. Tomato is brought to market from over 100 villages on the Kerala border.

As tomato ripens faster in hot weather, farmers take raw tomatoes to market. They ripen within two days. As tomato floods the market from various places, the price dropped suddenly. Earlier, a box of tomatoes weighing 14 kilogram costs Rs 100 and above.

Merchants from Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki regions purchase tomato from these markets. But after they cross the border, the price multiplies several times. Tomato price had dropped during this period last year also. The price is unlikely to change till April, said the merchants.