In Dar es Salaam Region, an increased availability of mangoes has led to a decrease in prices, benefiting both consumers and sellers. The Buguruni Market, for instance, offers mangoes priced between 100/- to 300/- Tanzanian Shillings (approximately $0.043 to $0.13) each, and bundles of smaller mangoes are available at 500/- ($0.22) for 10. The surge in supply is attributed to large shipments arriving from Tanga. According to Mr. Twaha Omary, a vendor at Buguruni Market, suppliers are selling mangoes at very low prices, which has facilitated quick sales. "We buy large mangoes for as little as 100/-, and for bundles, we agree on prices based on the load," Omary remarked.
Mr. Gideon Silayo, a vendor at Mabibo Market, observed that the high supply has increased demand, with many customers purchasing mangoes to make juice. "With prices so low, people can buy enough mangoes to make juice for the whole family for just 400/-," Silayo stated. Consequently, Buguruni has become a sought-after location for affordable mangoes, contrasting sharply with off-season prices that can reach up to 1,500/- to 2,000/- ($0.65 to $0.87) per mango.
Ms. Siael Kimaro, a regular juice maker, reported that the lower prices have substantially reduced her weekly budget for juice ingredients from 20,000/- to 25,000/- ($8.70 to $10.87) to just 10,000/- to 14,000/- ($4.35 to $6.09). The affordability of mangoes, along with other fruits like watermelons, avocados, and passion fruit, has enabled her to diversify her juice offerings and provide healthier, homemade alternatives to costly sodas. "The abundance of mangoes and watermelons has made it easier to provide refreshing, cost-effective drinks," Kimaro added.
Source: Daily News
