Tomato Prices Shoot To 10,000 Shillings Per 200kg Crate

The price of a 200kg crate (commonly called turbo), of tomatoes has increased from 8,500 to between 9,000 – 10,000 shillings in Nairobi, driven by high demand occasioned by the current dry weather that has led to a shortage of the commodity.

The approximate price range for a kilogram of tomatoes is 310.15 shillings. The average price for a tone is US$ 2847.22 in Mombasa and Nairobi.15 shillings per kg. The average price for a tone is US$ 2847.22 in Mombasa and Nairobi.

In Nairobi’s Fig Tree Market, for instance, consumers pay 10 shillings for one small tomato fruit up from five shillings three months ago.

Muthiru market traders sell three medium-sized tomatoes for twenty shillings while 4 large-sized go for 50 shillings.

According to Consumer Prices Indices from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, month-on-month prices for tomatoes increased 7.44 percent from 44.32 to 47.30 shillings per kilo between January and February 2022.

The ministry of agriculture expects the current shortage to persist until April at the onset of the long rains.

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.

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.

One kilogram of onions now retails at between 100-120 shillings across the country. A single onion retails between 10 and 15 shillings apart from small ones which are 5 shillings.

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