Kenyans To Pay More For Tomato As Prices Spike

In the past month, tomato prices have skyrocketed, forcing Kenyans to dig deeper into their pockets to enjoy a well-flavored meal.

A spot-check by Soko Directory around Nairobi estates revealed just how tomato prices have increased uncontrollably.

One tomato around Naivas estate,  Ruaraka for instance, goes for between 15 shillings and 20 shillings. This is from 5 shillings and 10 shillings in early October depending on the size.

In Nairobi’s Fig Tree Market, consumers also pay 20 shillings for one tomato fruit up from five shillings in October. At Muthurua market, traders are selling three medium-sized tomatoes for 25 shillings while 4 large-sized go for 50 shillings.

Read Also: A 200Kg Crate Of Tomatoes Retailing At 9,500 In Nairobi

The retail price of a box of tomatoes in Nairobi has currently shot up twice the normal cost, making it hard for average-income families in the city to buy the commodity in large quantities.

A crate of tomato in Nairobi now retails at 10,000 shillings or in some places, 12,000 shillings up from 6,000 shillings about a month ago. In Mombasa, a box of tomatoes that sold at Ksh5,000 about a month ago, now goes for at least 9,000 shillings.

Heavy rains that are being experienced in Kenya have led to the destruction of tomato crops. It became nearly impossible to spray pesticides on the crops, leading to rotting.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Agriculture Survey, September projected a 30 percent drop in output compared to the harvests witnessed in July. Farming of the food commodity was also expected to drop by close to 35 percent compared with acres farmed in July 2023

Currently, a kilogram of onions in Nairobi retails between 130 shillings and 150 shillings in most parts from between 80 shillings and 90 shillings. A single onion is retailing between 20 and 30 shillings apart from small ones.

Read Also: Households Dig Deeper Into Their Pockets To Buy Tomatoes