(2 minutes read)
- Prices of tomatoes in Lusaka have skyrocketed with a box selling at K230 from K120 at Soweto market. But the situation in Kitwe, Ndola and Chipata is different with prices fetching between K80 and K180
- But the situation in Kitwe, Ndola and Chipata is different with prices fetching between K80 and K180
Prices of tomatoes in Lusaka have skyrocketed with a box selling at K230 from K120 at Soweto market. But the situation in Kitwe, Ndola and Chipata is different with prices fetching between K80 and K180.
A survey conducted by a newspaper recently revealed that a box of tomatoes was selling at K230 while Mtendere market had a shortage of the commodity. Most farmers and traders attributed the low supply of the commodity to challenges faced in growing the crop such as change in weather pattern and cost of inputs.
Fluctuations in prices have put the farmers in great difficulty. At the time of cultivation, the prices may rule higher, but it may come down during the harvesting season. They point out that the government should at least fix a minimum support price for the vegetables, which will make clear to the farmer the minimum price that he can expect at the time of harvest. Coupled with this, there should be a large number of processing centers and supply chains created to avoid wastages.
