Crate of Tomatoes Now Averages 8,500 Shillings in Major Cities

The approximate wholesale price for Kenyan tomatoes in November 2021 is 310.15 shillings per kilogram.

A crate retails at an average of 8,500 shillings in major cities such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Trans- Nzoia, and Mombasa, with the lowest price ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 shillings in some counties.

In most parts of Mombasa, one tomato is going for between 10 and 20 shillings from 5 shillings 3 months ago. The price of a small size tomato in most parts of Nairobi is 10 to 15 shillings while a large one goes for 20 to 30 shillings.

Most of the commodity in the region is now being imported from neighboring countries such as Uganda which has had adverse effects on the market of locally produced tomatoes.

Kenya produces an average of 283,000 tons of tomatoes annually against a demand of 300,000 tons. In 2017, the country imported 27,000 tons of fruit.

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In Kenya, tomato plays a critical role in meeting domestic and nutritional food requirements, generation of income, foreign exchange earnings, and creation of employment.

Despite its contribution to poverty elimination, the tomato industry is faced with a myriad of constraints along its value chain. These include agronomic constraints like the incidence of pest and diseases and physiological disorders

Tomato price fluctuations have been a daunting challenge to consumers; these have been caused by supply inconsistency due to seasonality. Hence, the adoption of technologies like irrigation systems and greenhouse technology.

Another challenge that consumers are facing is the perishing ability or low shelf life of tomatoes.

A kilogram of onions in Nairobi is still retailing between 120 and 150 shillings in most parts. A single onion retails between 10 and 15 shillings apart from small ones which are 5 shillings.