W6: Weekly Tomato Update

United States

Price Decrease of Roma Tomatoes in the United States Market During W5 (Feb 6)

In the United States, the price of Roma tomatoes in the Nogales and McAllen markets was at the minimum price allowed by the suspension agreement between Mexico and the USA. The price stood at USD 8.30/25lbs box due to a high volume coming from Sinaloa. Prices are expected to remain low in W6.

Kenya

In Kenya, Tomato Prices Increased Sharply Over the Last Month (Feb 7)

According to Consumer Price Indices and Inflation rates for January 2023 released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Tuesday, the price of tomatoes jumped by 8.1% over the past 30 days. KNBS indicated that the selling price of tomatoes surged to hit USD 0.82/kg (KSH 102.5/kg). In December 2022, a kilo of tomato retailed at USD 0.78/kg (KSH 97.40/kg). The sharp increase was high compared to beans which recorded a 1.7% increase to hit USD 1.32/kg (KSH 166/kg).

Malaysia

Why Is Malaysia Facing a Vegetable Shortage? (Feb 8)

In Malaysia, there is a severe shortage of tomatoes, chili peppers, okra, beans, and eggplants. Vegetable production in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands has been hampered by unpredictable weather, which has doubled prices and caused shortages. The weather is generally dry in the highlands between January and March. Instead, it has been raining almost every day since the beginning of 2023.

Morocco

Tomato Prices on Rise in Morocco Weeks Ahead of Ramadan (Feb 6)

As with fuel and other commodities, prices of tomatoes continue to rise a few months ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. Morocco has decided to stop exporting tomatoes to some markets abroad to provide sufficient local supply.

Climatic Conditions Are Behind the High Prices of Tomatoes, Says Morocco’s Minister of Finance (Feb 7)

The minister said that the price of tomato has ranged between USD 26.78-53.55(MAD 5-10) since December 2022, due to climatic conditions and a lack of production. The government official confirmed that there is work today with all stakeholders and producers to reduce tomato prices before Ramadan.

The Moroccan Government Faces High Prices by Preventing the Export of Vegetables Which Exporters Describe as a Unilateral Decision (Feb 8)

To stop the prices from rising exponentially, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture has made a set of decisions, including banning the export of a group of vegetables, particularly tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. And to the extent that this decision is considered correct at present and is in the interest of the citizen who is suffering from the flames of high prices to the extent that it created a state of resentment among exporters, as the Moroccan Association of Exporters of Various Commodities to Africa and abroad denounced the decision to stop the export of tomatoes, potatoes, and onions to African markets.

Morocco Bans Vegetable Exports to West Africa to Stabilize Domestic Prices (Feb 12)

To avoid a spike in vegetable prices before Ramadan, Morocco banned the shipment of potatoes, tomatoes, and onions to West Africa.