Tomato Prices In Nakuru Drop By 70 Percent In The Wake Of An Oversupply

Tomato prices in Nakuru have dropped by more than 70 percent in a period of one month as a result of an oversupply on the markets.

Currently, a crate of tomatoes in Nakuru is selling between 2,000 and 2,500 shillings on wholesale and between 2,400 and 3,000 shillings on retail. This is a drop from an average of between 8,000 and 10,000 shillings a month and a half ago.

“There are a lot of tomatoes on the market at the moment. Farmers have harvested and the majority of businessmen are bringing in more from Ethiopia,” Jane Mwaniki, a farmer in Nakuru told a local news outlet.

In most parts of Nakuru, a kilogram of tomatoes is going between 34 and 40 shillings. Those buying on the retail are buying at least 5 tomatoes at 20 shillings in various outlets.

In Nairobi, the price of a crate of tomatoes is retailing between 3,500 and 4,000 shillings. Some places like Eastleigh, the prices are as high as 6,000 shillings for a 70-kilogram crate. There is a shortage of tomatoes and onions in Eastleigh.

“Two months ago, this crate of tomatoes was going for as much as 12,000 shillings. Today, getting someone to buy at 4,000 shillings is very difficult,” said Peter Wanjau, a trader at Muthurwa Market.

In Mombasa, the price of a crate of tomatoes is retailing between 3,600 and 4,200 shillings in most places. A kilogram of tomatoes is between 40 and 55 shillings across various markets.

There is a cessation of movement in and out of both Nairobi and Mombasa, a move that has affected the movement of goods and people. Although the government has allowed movement of “essential” services, traders say they fear being harassed by police officers manning roadblocks.

In Kitale, the price of a crate of tomatoes is retailing the lowest, between 1,800 and 2,000 shillings. Farmers say they are selling their tomatoes to middlemen at a throwaway price to avoid the produce going to waste due to the ongoing rainfall.

READ: 90-Kilogram Bag Of Beans At Ksh 8,000, Maize At Ksh 4,000