Rains Disrupt Tomato Supply, Prices Surge in Kisumu

Tomato prices in Kisumu have surged sharply following weeks of heavy rains that have disrupted supply chains and reduced harvests, placing pressure on both traders and consumers.

A spot check at Kibuye Market revealed that tomatoes are now retailing at between Sh15 and Sh30 per piece—nearly double the prices recorded in recent months. The increase has been driven by dwindling supply, with traders reporting fewer deliveries and rising wholesale costs.

At the wholesale level, a standard crate of tomatoes is currently selling for between Sh7,600 and Sh8,000, up from about Sh7,000–Sh7,500 previously. Traders say the persistent rains have destroyed crops in key growing areas, significantly reducing the volume reaching the lakeside city.

Everline Akinyi, a trader at Kibuye Market, said excessive rainfall has led to heavy losses on farms. “Most of the tomatoes are destroyed before harvest because of too much rain, and what reaches us is very little,” she said.

To cope with shortages, traders are increasingly sourcing tomatoes from distant producing regions such as Oloitoktok, Kimana, and Senete, as well as importing from neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda.

However, the longer supply chains have driven up transport costs, further inflating retail prices. “Transport is expensive, and we have no option but to pass the cost to customers,” Akinyi added.

Small-scale traders are among the hardest hit. Judith Aoko, who operates a stall in Kisumu’s Polyview area, said the cost of a small crate has more than doubled—from Sh3,000–Sh3,500 to about Sh7,000. As a result, she now sells individual tomatoes at between Sh15 and Sh20, but notes that many customers are cutting back.

“People are complaining and buying less. When they don’t buy, the tomatoes spoil and we lose money,” she said.

The rising costs are also affecting how traders stock their businesses. Groups that previously shared a crate at about Sh200 per person are now contributing up to Sh1,200 each, making it increasingly difficult for small traders to stay afloat.

The price surge highlights the vulnerability of fresh produce supply chains to weather disruptions, raising concerns about food affordability and market stability in Kisumu and surrounding areas.