The Zambian Fruit and Vegetable Traders Association has attributed the current low prices of tomatoes on the market to the availability of the commodity as most farmers are currently harvesting their crop.
Association President Bernard Sikunyongana said farmers have flooded their produce on the market and supply has outstripped demand, which is leading to the commodity fetching a lower price.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Sikunyongana said there is need for coordination among farmers so that they do not offload their produce on the market at the same time.
Sikunyongana said some farmers have an alternative market, which is Kasumbalesa border in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but those who can only sell their produce locally may incur losses looking at the current prices therefore the need to start looking for long-term solutions.
He said one way of addressing this issue is investing in cold storage facilities so that farmers are able to keep their produce for a longer period in the event that the market is flooded with a particular product.
Farmers have expressed concern over the low prices of tomatoes, which is lower than the cost of production, causing farmers to incur losses. A box of tomato is selling for as low as K40 in some places.
