Tomatoes turn into ‘elusive red gold’ as prices soar
By Kondwani Nyondo
Tomatoes, a staple ingredient in Malawian households, have now become an expensive luxury, with prices soaring to unprecedented levels.
Just a few months ago, a five-liter bucket of tomatoes cost K2,000, but now consumers are forced to dig deeper into their pockets, with prices reaching as high as K15,000 in some markets.
Consumers have expressed frustration over the price surge, with many struggling to afford a commodity that was once readily available at affordable prices.
“I used to buy a full bucket for just K2,000, but now even K5,000 can’t get me enough tomatoes for my business,” lamented Blandina Kamoyo, a Lilongwe-based restaurant owner.
At Wakawaka Market, one of Lilongwe’s major agri-food trading centers, the same quantity is now selling for K14,000.
Alinafe Banda, a tomato vendor, attributed the price hike to a severe shortage of the commodity.
She said, "We are struggling to source tomatoes locally, so we rely on supplies from Zambia and Jenda in Mzimba."
Mij Express established that the "red gold" was scarce across all regions of the country, with some likening its rarity to that of a pangolin.
Speaking in an interview, Emanuel Yokoniya, an agriculture expert, said the problem might persist until next month when more farmers will have harvested their tomatoes.
He attributed the scarcity to multiple factors, including erratic weather conditions affecting local production, high transportation costs, and the rising cost of farm inputs such as fertilizers.
"Small-scale farmers, who are the backbone of tomato production in Malawi, are struggling to keep up with rising operational costs, further exacerbating the supply crisis," he explained.
According to the Tomato Industry Outlook, Malawi consumes approximately 499,000 metric tons of tomatoes annually.
Production in Malawi is expected to reach 853,040 metric tons by 2026, reflecting an average annual growth rate of three point five percent, compared to 690,890 metric tons in 2021.
Since 1966, tomato production in Malawi has grown at an average annual rate of seven point four percent.
In 2021, the country ranked 30th globally, with Greece ahead at 690,890 metric tons.
While India, the United States, and Egypt occupied the second, third, and fourth spots in production rankings.
Economist Clifford Mlambia emphasized the need for immediate solutions to stabilize supply and maintain Malawi’s strong position in the international market.
"The government and stakeholders must intervene to support farmers with affordable inputs and improve local production. Otherwise, we risk prolonged shortages and inflationary pressures on food prices," he warned.
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