Tanzania: Dar lemon price down by 75 percent as supply rises

The price of lemon in Dar es Salaam has sharply plunged by 75 per cent for a 50kg sack, thanks to supply increase in recently days. The price plummeted from 200,000/- last month to 50,000/- yesterday after farmers, according to traders, experienced bumper harvest. A ‘Daily News’ spot survey in some markets in Ilala and Ubungo districts revealed that there was bumper crop yields in Shinyanga, Morogoro and Tanga, hence pushing down wholesale prices considerably. A lemon trader at IlalaBoma Market, Mr Omary Juma, complained about low business despite high fruit supply. For instance, he said they were receiving over five sacks a day compared to one sack a month ago. “The business is there despite low prices. This makes it difficult to realise profit,” Mr Juma, who trades at one of the largest lemon markets in Dar es Salaam said. He noted that due to bumper crop customers were not coming to IlalaBoma Market as lemon suppliers were selling the fruit at many other markets on the city ...