Import ban triggers vegetable price hikes, shortages

Thursday, January 12, 2017

There has been a shortage of potatoes and tomatoes since the import ban last year

The government’s decision to ban a number of imported solanaceous crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and beetroot has triggered price increases and a shortage of the commodities.

Effected last December through the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, the ban prohibits the importation of tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, bell peppers, melon pear and beetroot.

This came after a highly destructive insect pest known as tomato leaf miner or tuta absoluta was detected in the Bobirwa, Boteti, Chobe, North East, and North West areas.

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