By Suzan Aanyu and Hellen Aguyo
Tomato prices at Kotido Main Market have gone up due to limited supply, leaving traders and customers across the district with one of the worst shortages in recent years.
Tomato, which is one of the essential ingredients in cooking, especially fried foods, is now a rare commodity and costly in the market.
Rose Mary Namoyo, a vendor at Kotido main market said a cluster of four tomatoes that was sold at Shs 500 three months ago, now goes at Shs 1000.
She added that a basin now sells at Shs 70,000 up from Shs 50,000 while the price for a box has shot up to Shs 120,000 from Shs 100,000.
Namoyo attributed the hike in tomato prices to high transport costs involved in transporting tomatoes from Kenya and Tanzania to Uganda.
“The supply from Sebei and Bugisu sub-regions cannot sustain the overwhelming demand of tomatoes in the market, a reason we have opted to import it from countries like Kenya and Tanzania. But importing comes with high transport costs, distribution challenges and taxes”, said Namoyo.
She explained that retailers are among the most hit, with many unable to cope with frequently changing prices.
Denis Nangolo AK Lourien, a trader in the same market, notes that the scarcity of tomatoes has coincided with the back-to-school season, further reducing customers’ buying power.
He added that they are incurring huge losses as the high prices of tomatoes have caused many customers to forgo their use and resort to other alternatives.
According to Nangole, the situation is driving many small scale traders out of business.
“Making profits under the current prices is tough. Customers complain every day, but we have no choice”, he stated.
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