Africa-Press – Angola. The selling price of tomatoes in the main informal markets in the city of Ondjiva, capital of the province of Cunene, went from 25 to 100 kwanzas each, due to the scarcity of the product.
In a round carried out this Monday, in the informal markets of Oshomukuio and Germany, a unit of four to five tomatoes, previously sold at a price of 100 kwanzas, currently costs 500 kwanzas.
According to the sellers at the largest market in Cunene, they explained that the price has changed since the second week of March, due to the scarcity of tomatoes in the market, which increased a 25 kg box from 10 thousand to 30 thousand kwanzas.
Seller Elisa Suraia said she buys tomatoes from suppliers in the municipality of Tombwa, in the province of Namibe, but due to the rains in the region, tomatoes have been scarce in recent days.
Maria Felícia indicated that the product is really difficult, the little they can get they sell a bunch of five tomatoes for 500 kwanzas, to make some profit, since the box costs 30 thousand kwanzas.
Catarina Ndumbo highlighted that, due to this low supply, the 2 kg bucket, which previously cost one thousand to one thousand and five hundred, is now being sold at two thousand kwanzas, to replace the purchase price and have a small profit margin.
Trader Silvania de Jesus highlighted that she acquired the tomato in neighboring Namibia, but now, with the current exchange rate of the Namibian dollar, the box is more expensive, worth 35 thousand kwanzas, and when reselling the profits do not come out.
Consumer Teresa Santos said that, with current prices, four times higher than the previous one, it is difficult for the pocket, but it is necessary to buy so that the food is more precious.
For his part, the director of the Cunene Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Office, Carlos Ndanyengondunge, explained that the tomato cultivation period begins in April, because not all varieties are adapted in rainy weather.
The products that appear most often in the Oshomukuio informal market are onions and sweet potatoes, sold at a more affordable price.
Tomato is a fruit rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K and lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant, helping to maintain skin health, strengthen the immune system and prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and atherosclerosis.
Currently, Cunene has 100 cooperatives and agricultural associations, which produce tomatoes, onions and cabbage, among other vegetables, mainly in the towns of Calueque, Ondjiva and along the Cafu canal.
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