Tomatoes Prices Have Skyrocketed

Tomatoes Prices Have Skyrocketed

Tomatoes Prices Have Skyrocketed

Experts attribute the current surge in tomato prices to three things, including the  intense rains that have hit most of the nation in recent weeks. Tomato prices have  surged dramatically over the past two weeks. A quick spot check in Nairobi and the surrounding towns found that the price range  for a medium-sized tomato is Ksh15–Ksh20.

Ksh20 used to be able to purchase three to four tomatoes.Speaking with Juliet Kwenda, an agricultural field officer, I learned that tomatoes prefer warm weather and that the recent downpours had reduced the availability of this often used item in cooking.

Rainfall has been abundant lately, and tomatoes are among the crops that do not fare well in such weather. The treatment of tomatoes in such conditions becomes frenetic, therefore the rains also have an impact on production.”In addition, production costs have increased significantly. It is a matter that requires government intervention. Farmers face difficulties as a result of the unquestionably rising demand for tomato seeds, the speaker said.

Notably, compared to the harvests observed in July, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Agriculture Survey for September predicted a 30% decrease in output.It was anticipated that the amount of land farmed for the food commodity would decrease by over 35% in July 2023 compared to the previous year.However, Kwenda added that the present rate was affected by the recent rise in shipping expenses. Traders who imported tomatoes from Uganda were primarily impacted.”With the fuel cost, the prices will definitely go up,” she said.