A TOMATO shortage is looming in the southern region and possibly the rest of the country following a heavy frost which has hit some parts of Matabeleland, a major supplier of the cash-crop, farming experts revealed yesterday.
MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Players in the vegetable market said most Matabeleland farmers who supply the bulk of Zimbabwe with tomatoes, have been largely hit by frost for the past few months since winter started in earnest in May, greatly affecting the cultivation and growth of the crop which during summer floods the Bulawayo market.
The main tomato suppliers in Matabeleland are Umguza, Umzingwane, Esigodini and Figtree.
In separate interviews with Southern Eye Business yesterday, farmers’ unions and farming experts warned that the price of tomatoes would shoot up for the next three months, advising consumers to be prepared to pay a bit more.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Wonder Chabikwa said it had become a norm that after every winter the price of tomatoes went up, pointing out that the crop would have been affected by frost. He said this year would not be an exception.
“Crops, especially tomatoes, are easily affected by frost and farmers are always being encouraged to take more precautions,” said Chabikwa.
“Consumers should, therefore, be prepared to fork out more money for tomatoes this season for up to three months because there would be a shortage in the market.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Presently the producer price of tomatoes is pegged at $1 per kg — a price Chabikwa said was good for farmers. But a survey at local supermarkets yesterday showed that some retailers were asking for $1,30 per kg.
Commercial Farmers’ Union president Charles Taffs said the shortage of tomatoes was expected every winter, but the magnitude of the shortage depended on the severity of the weather conditions.
“Certainly a shortage is on the cards. We cannot rule it out due to the prevailing wintry conditions. It is expected in light of the prevailing winter conditions,” said Taffs.
The district agricultural extension officer for Umguza district, Shalene Mabharani, said five hectares of tomatoes were affected in Umguza and Nyamandlovu.
“We are likely to have a price hike of tomatoes this season. We encourage farmers to use greenhouses to avoid this,” he said.
According to the Agritex officer, other crops affected by the frost include lattice, cabbage seedlings and choumolia.
The government recently banned imports of fresh fruits and vegetables arguing that increased sales of local products would boost production to meet domestic demand.
The ban impacted mostly on supplies of tomatoes, potatoes, mangoes, grapes and apples from neighbouring South Africa.
