By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE scarcity of tomatoes on the Copperbelt province has pushed up the price of the commodity by over 100 percent.
During rainy season, most tomatoes are of poor quality due to too much water which makes it difficult for the farmers to grow the vegetable.
According to a survey conducted by the Times, a box of tomato in Ndola and Kitwe which was fetching at K90 is currently being sold at K250 with Chililabombwe having the highest price at K350.
The similar box in Luanshya, Masaiti and Mpongwe districts is selling at K200.
A head of cabbage is being sold at K10 in most towns on the Copperbelt while in Chillabombwe it is selling at K15.
Other vegetables that have become scarce and seen an increase in prices are Spinach, Chinese cabbage and rape.
Meanwhile, an increase in commodity prices at the Kasumbalesa border post in Chilabombwe have also been attributed to the high demand from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the Zambia Farmers Union (ZNFU) latest website update, traders at the border said the demand of vegetables such as tomatoes was increasing in DRC.
The local association at the border has, however, predicted a further rise in prices at the border as the supplies mostly from central and Southern provinces had reduced.
Kasumbalesa Livestock section chairperson Bernard Moyo said the price of small livestock such as goats had dropped due the abundance of the animals this season.
Mr Moyo appealed to authorities in charge of the boarder to allow them sell cattle provided the source of the animals was known.
He further urged farmers within the province to take a share of the yawning market at the border post by growing more crops.