In the Dar es Salaam Region of Tanzania, pineapple prices have almost gone up twice as off-season supply is low compared to demand. The fruit season is between October and May. During that time, increased availability should bring down demand and make for lower prices.
A spot survey showed that the wholesale price of pineapple, depending on the size, went up to around Sh 1,000 from Sh 500 for small sizes while medium to Sh 1,500 from Sh 1,000 and slightly larger to Sh 2,000 from Sh 1,500.
A Mabibo’s market trader said the fruit is available thanks to ‘mpigo’ pineapple variety, which is planted off-season: “The business is still tough despite having some off-season pineapple. Price is putting at bay customers…but at least we have the fruit around the year.”
Mabibo market is the largest market for pineapples in Da es Salaam and receives supply mainly from Kiwangwa in Bagamoyo where most offseason pineapples ‘mpigo’ are grown. The trader who is doing wholesale also said coming next month the business will flourish as the season starts and seems like customers are accustomed to consuming pineapple toward the end of the year—the December fruit.
The Mabibo market in Ubungo District, according to traders’ statistics, currently receives around four trucks with a capacity of carrying 20 tons a day, down from 10 trucks during the peak season.
[ Sh 100 = €0.037 ]
Source: dailynews.co.tz