Cameroon is currently grappling with a severe tomato shortage that has sent prices soaring and placed immense pressure on households already burdened by a high cost of living. In the capital city of Yaoundé, tomatoes, once a staple in daily meals, have become a luxury item. The scarcity has forced many families to drastically alter their diets, with some turning to canned or bagged alternatives, while others have eliminated tomatoes altogether. This shift not only affects nutrition but also disrupts traditional cooking practices, as tomatoes are central to many Cameroonian dishes.
The crisis stems from a combination of factors that have crippled local production. Farmers are facing skyrocketing costs for agricultural inputs, with fertilizer prices rising from 3,000 CFA francs to as much as 13,000 CFA francs. This dramatic increase has made tomato cultivation financially unsustainable for many small-scale producers. Compounding the issue are rising labor and transportation costs, which further inflate the final market price. As a result, a crate of tomatoes now sells for between 12,000 and 15,000 CFA francs, more than double the usual rate, while two small tomatoes can cost up to 100 CFA francs in retail markets.
The impact on consumers is profound. For low-income households, the price hike means tomatoes are no longer affordable, leading to nutritional compromises and a growing sense of food insecurity. Vendors and market sellers are also feeling the strain, as reduced supply and high prices drive down customer demand. The situation has sparked widespread concern, with calls for government intervention to stabilize the market and support local farmers. Producers like Ibrahim Boulé from the West region have urged authorities to subsidize inputs and improve infrastructure to ensure consistent supply and affordability.
This tomato shortage underscores the vulnerability of Cameroon’s agricultural sector to economic and logistical shocks. It highlights the urgent need for policy measures that bolster food production, reduce dependency on volatile input markets, and protect consumers from sudden price surges. Without swift and coordinated action, the crisis could deepen, affecting not just tomatoes but other essential food items and threatening the broader food security of the nation.