BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
TOMATO traders at Lusaka’s Soweto market have complained of bad business as the commodity has become expensive and that has affected demand.
Rachael Chulu, one of the traders said a box of tomatoes was currently costing K180 from the previous K110.
Ms Chulu told Lusaka Sun that traders have been forced to reduce the quantity of tomato orders following the increase in prices of the commodity.
She explained that it was currently difficult to sell an entire box of tomatoes as most people were not buying as before due to escalating prices.
“Sometimes we sell nothing and tomatoes go to waste. One is lucky to sell one or two boxes in a day these days because business has become exceedingly slow,” Ms Chulu said.
Another trader, Maria Lungu said many people had stopped selling tomatoes waiting for the time when prices would come down.
“Some of our friends have stopped selling tomatoes, we know this season is tricky when it comes to tomatoes but we have to push on so that we earn a living,” Ms Lungu said.