Video: Ukrainian Farmer Dumped Tons of Tomatoes and Caused a Stir Online
Serhiy, a Ukrainian farmer, took a crop of tomatoes he couldn’t sell out into the field. A video of the situation sparked a lively discussion on TikTok—users were divided in their opinions about the farmer’s actions.
According to the farmer, the first major problem was the abnormal heat. Due to the extremely high temperatures, many tomatoes cannot withstand the heat and scorch in the sun, especially if the plant has sparse foliage that is unable to shade the fruit.
This is followed by a second problem—the need to harvest and sell the crop urgently. As a result, all producers flood the market at the exact same time.
“Due to the large volume of produce, overproduction, and the rapid pace of sales, prices plummet to rock bottom. Consequently, in some cases, it’s not even profitable to harvest, considering the daily wages for each worker and the high cost of logistics,” the farmer explained.
A Ukrainian farmer showed on TikTok how he takes unsold tomatoes out to the field. In the video, Serhiy explained that growing vegetables requires significant expenses. According to him, after the harvest, workers’ wages must be paid, and there may be no profit left for the farmer.
“That’s the tomato business we’re in. Anyone who wants to see and experience firsthand how money is made in this business—go ahead, plant, grow, and you’ll find out. The tomatoes have been harvested, the workers have been paid, but I haven’t earned anything for myself yet,” the farmer noted.
He also responded to criticism about why he didn’t give the unsold produce away for free to people. “I’d really like to hear why I didn’t give it to poor people or someone else out there. Only someone who’s been in the vegetable business can understand all this,” said the video’s creator.
A video of a Ukrainian farmer dumping unsold tomatoes in a field has sparked a debate on TikTok. Users are arguing over whether the farmer should have given the produce away for free to the military or to people in need.
@sergey.agroduh This is agribusiness for you. Everyone sees the profit, but few see how much ends up in the trash. #agribusiness #farming #business #tomatoes #village ♬ Midnight Circuit - Terry Clune
Opinions were divided in the comments under the farmer’s video. Some commenters asked why the unsold tomatoes weren’t given to people who need them.
“Why not give them to the Armed Forces of Ukraine? Is that too much to ask? Better than throwing them away?” wrote Svitlana Zhdanovych.
Another user responded to this comment by suggesting that the critic buy or grow the produce herself and give it away for free: “Then go pick them and give them away—I don’t understand why that’s a question. You’re just sitting on the couch doing nothing, handing out advice. Have you ever done a good deed in your life? If you don’t want to grow it, that’s fine—just donate it from your paycheck. Well, you put in your labor, and so did the farmer—or do you think it grows on willow trees?”
Another user suggested donating the tomatoes to the military. “Deliver them to military units... Otherwise, you’re just throwing them away... I believe they’ll go to waste... It’s been a tough year...,” wrote Vitaliy Kulish.
The author of the “AgroDukh” page replied that he had already donated the produce to the military.
Natalia emphasized that growing crops requires significant expenses, labor, and resources.
“A person has invested as much money as they’ve spent in energy and health—they’ve toiled and worked hard, paid people’s salaries—and then they’re supposed to just stand there and give it all away… Those who haven’t done this will probably never understand,” she wrote.
Another participant in the discussion noted that she grows vegetables on a small plot herself and does not give away unsold produce for free.
“I sell all my leftovers or feed them to my chickens. Why don’t I give them away for free? Why didn’t anyone come, plant them, weed them, fertilize them, or harvest them?” she wrote.
Some also asked why the people calling on the farmer to give away tomatoes aren’t willing to buy his produce themselves and pass it on to those in need: “I wonder why all these outraged commenters don’t buy the farmers’ produce and distribute it themselves—or can we only be kind and noble at someone else’s expense?”
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