Yaoundé markets: abundance of tomatoes pushes prices down

For several weeks now, the markets in and around Yaoundé have been boasting a remarkable abundance of tomatoes. The stalls are increasingly well-stocked, much to the delight of consumers. A favorable situation for households, but a worrying one for producers.

In markets such as Mokolo or Mvog-Mbi, the crates are piling up. Supply far outstrips demand, leading to a significant drop in prices.

At the end of 2025, a crate of tomatoes could reach FCFA 4,000, it is now trading at less than 2,000 FCFA, depending on quality. What's more, consumers can now find heaps to 100 or 200 FCFA. A reality unthinkable just a few months ago.

«I'm cooking more and more tomato-based sauces compared to the past, like during the festive season».», confides a housewife she met at the market. This drop in prices considerably reduces the cost of the household basket, and also benefits the catering trade.

Consumers may be delighted, but the situation is far from favorable for producers. For most of them, it's the beginning of the hard times. The current situation is not conducive to a return on investment.

However, there are many supply basins, particularly in the Central, Western and South-Western regions. These are the production areas that supply the capital's markets. The high level of simultaneous production may partly explain the saturation observed.

According to one agricultural expert, weather conditions have favored abundant production this season. However, this agricultural surplus is causing a market imbalance, for which producers are paying the price.

Beyond its economic importance, the tomato is a food with many nutritional qualities. Rich in vitamins C and A, they help strengthen the immune system and protect eyesight.

So, while the current abundance brings relief to households, it also raises the question of market regulation and support for producers. Hence the government's call to anticipate, before this agricultural windfall turns into an economic loss.

Anita MENOUNGA