By Pemphero Malimba, Emmanuel Moyo, Jarson Malowa & Francis Mzindiko:
Consumers in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba cities as well as Karonga District have expressed concern over rising prices of tomatoes.
Sport checks conducted by The Daily Times in markets such as Wakawaka, Mchesi and Senti in Lilongwe, Karonga Boma, Kamba in Blantyre and Zomba Main Market revealed that golf-ball size tomatoes were being sold at a minimum of K400 and K1,000.
For example, at Wakawaka Market, which is one of the major markets in the city, a golf-size tomato was fetching between K500 and K1,000.
One of the consumers, Robert Jonas, said he purchased tomatoes that filled a 5-litre container at K15,000, which was higher than before.
“I have bought the tomatoes at K15,000 when, in the past, I used the buy the same quantity at between K2,000 and K2,500. This means the Kwacha is losing value,” he said.
At Karonga Boma, a golf-ball size tomato was fetching between K500 and K1,200.
One trader, Jonas Mwakikulu, said this was because supply was low and demand was high.
“The other reason is rising fuel prices, which are making the transport fares higher,” he said.
At Blantyre Main Market, a golf-ball size tomato was fetching between K700 and K1,000.
One of the buyers, Ulemu Mwiso, said life was becoming unbearable.
“Most of us, private sector workers, have not received pay increments yet. As such, we are struggling to make ends meet, let alone buy tomatoes,” Mwiso said.
At Zomba Main Market, a golf-ball size tomato was fetching between K400 and K700, with some traders blaming the situation on weather conditions.
“Weather unpredictability has affected tomato production. In other areas, they were hit by insect infestation,” Elube Zalimu said.
Ministry of Trade spokesperson Patrick Botha said the situation was sustaining because the months of December and January are lean periods for tomatoes in the country.
“December and January are always lean periods for tomatoes in the country and this is where we need increased production and agri-technologies that can deal with infestation, embrace value addition by the SMEs [small and medium enterprises]. Kwithu Kitchen are already.
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