Over the past two weeks the market price of tomatoes and onions has gone against the usual trend: in the 55-day period before Easter, the prices of vegetables, and tomatoes in particular, usually drop in Ethiopia. Yet, because flooding hit major farmers, the price of tomatoes and onions has soared.
Meqi, in East Shewa, which produces large quantities of both onions and tomatoes, with 1,246ha covered with tomatoes alone, was struck by serious flooding two weeks ago.
Similar flood damage was experienced in Dugda District of Oromia Region nearly 131km south east of capital Addis Abeba. Hence supplies are limited.
In one corner of Meqi, Shite Gadissa who owns a fruit and vegetables retail shop feels the price rise. She said that she used to sell a kilo of onions for four Birr and a kilo of tomatoes for seven Birr but after the flood, both items saw a marked increase in price. The price of onions rose by three Birr and tomato went up by six Birr.
Her customers are also feeling the pinch, as tomatoes and onions are staples in Ethiopian daily cuisine.
(1 Ethiopian Birr=0.046 USD)