Egypt Sees Sharp Rise in Tomato Prices, Reaching EGP 70 per Kilo
Egyptian markets are currently experiencing a sharp surge in tomato prices, reaching up to EGP 70 per kilogram in some areas. This has sparked debate among consumers about the underlying causes and potential duration of the crisis. Agricultural officials attribute the increase to a combination of several interconnected factors affecting production and supply within the local market.
Factors Contributing to the Price Hike:
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Reduced Cultivated Areas After Price Collapse: Hussein Abu Saddam, Head of the General Farmers’ Syndicate, states that a key reason is the significant reduction in tomato cultivation this season. This follows a sharp price collapse last year, when tomatoes sold for as low as EGP 2 per kilogram, prompting many farmers to scale back their plantings.
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Tomato Weevil Infestation: Abu Saddam also highlighted widespread damage caused by the “tomato weevil” (Tuta absoluta), which led to substantial crop losses in various agricultural regions. This impacted both the quality and quantity of fruit, directly reducing marketable supply and driving up prices.
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Climate Change and Heat Waves: Recent high temperatures and climatic fluctuations severely impacted tomato productivity. Tomatoes are sensitive crops highly susceptible to weather conditions, leading to decreased yields in several agricultural cycles.
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Crop Cycle Gap and Production Losses: Engineer Mahmoud El-Toukhy, Chairman of the General Association of Vegetable and Fruit Producers, identified the “crop cycle gap” (or inter-season gap) as a major factor. This naturally leads to a temporary decrease in supply during the transition between agricultural seasons, while demand remains high, creating an immediate price gap in the market. He also noted that recent weather conditions, particularly heavy rains, caused significant damage to tomato blossoms, further reducing overall production. El-Toukhy reiterated that low prices last year (EGP 2/kg) also discouraged farmers from planting this season, impacting current supply.
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Multiple Middlemen and Increased Exports: Abu Saddam pointed out that rising transportation costs and the numerous intermediaries between farmers and consumers contribute to the final price increase. Additionally, a significant volume of tomato exports, reaching approximately 19,000 tons, has reduced quantities available domestically, putting further pressure on the local market.
Current Prices and Outlook:
According to data, wholesale tomato prices currently range between EGP 600 and EGP 1200 per crate, depending on quality. Retail prices for consumers are between EGP 50 and EGP 70 per kilogram.
However, Engineer El-Toukhy anticipates that prices will begin to decline within approximately 20 days, stabilizing at around EGP 15-20 per kilogram. This expected drop is due to the introduction of new harvests and a gradual increase in supply. He affirmed that the current crisis is temporary.
El-Toukhy urged consumers to rationalize their consumption during this period, emphasizing that the market is experiencing a temporary reduction in supply rather than a complete shortage of the commodity.
