The Egyptian market has experienced a surge in tomato prices since the onset of 2024, with costs soaring to EGP 25 per kg, a significant increase from EGP 5 per kg in January. Abu Saddam, a representative of the farmers union, attributes this escalation to a confluence of factors such as rising operational costs, inflation, high temperatures, and a reduction in the tomato cultivation area. Consequently, many farmers have shifted to cultivating alternative crops like cucumbers, corn, and rice, which offer higher profitability following years of financial losses due to unfavorable tomato pricing.
Abu Saddam further elucidates that the price drop is anticipated due to the synchronization of the harvesting period across various governorates. He also highlighted the impact of global tensions on transportation and production supplies, which have escalated costs, particularly noting Egypt's reliance on imports for tomato seeds, agricultural machinery, and pesticides. "We are in the intersection of the growing season, upper Egypt growing tomato while Lower Egypt finishes from planting it," he remarked.
Moreover, he pointed out the seasonal spike in tomato demand during summer, driven by its versatile use in cooking and drying for export. To mitigate these challenges, he proposed government intervention to support farmers by supplying local seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. With the advent of winter, a period marked by a decrease in vegetable demand and an increase in crop production, a decline in tomato prices is anticipated. Egypt's tomato production capacity stands at 6.5 million tons, positioning it as a leading producer in Africa and the fourth-largest tomato exporter in the Arab region with exports valued at $53.2 million in 2023, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World's Top Exports data.
Source: Ahram Online