Tomato Queens Blame Farmers For High Prices

Accra - Tomato queens at Makola Market today blamed the high price of tomatoes on farmers at Agogo from where they currently purchase the produce and called for the intervention of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Madam Comfort Adjele Quao, assistant tomato queen, told the GNA that a crate of tomatoes which sold between 20,000 cedis and 40,000 cedis in the North is now being sold between 100,000 and 120,000 cedis at Agogo and other places in the Ashanti region. She explained that when the season ended in the northern region two weeks ago, traders were compelled to go to Konongo, Sabrono, Afrancho and Dormaa Ahenkro, where tomatoes are in season. Madam Quao said wholesalers are making a loss of between 20,000 and 40,000 cedis per crate since they are obliged to retail at 80,000 cedis to attract market.

However, some retailers claim they are buying a crate at about 160,000 cedis. Consequently, four medium size tomatoes which sold at 200 cedis now sell at a 1,000 cedis in Accra. Investigations revealed that other traders import from Cote d'Ivoire at 125,000 cedis per crate and retail at 160,000 cedis in Accra. Madam Quao complained about the hostile attitude of Agogo farmers who, she claimed, nearly assaulted her when she offered to pay 80,000 cedis per crate last Monday. She said the farmers who were armed with clubs, cutlasses and farm implements surrounded her while one of them shouted: "I can see that you are a witch who has come to spoil our market, all the women are buying at 120,000 cedis and you want to bring the price down. I am going to smoke wee to come and fight you". Sensing danger, she feigned stomach-ache and sought refuge at a nearby police station.

Madam Quao called on the authorities to educate farmers at Agogo who stuff the bottom of their crate with unripe and rotten tomatoes before adding good ones. The farmers openly brag about smoking marijuana and pride themselves as fearless, she said. The clash between the traders and these farmers occur annually. Last year, differences between them over prices resulted in a shooting incident. Following this, traders boycotted Agogo for two weeks until the intervention of a chief in the area. She gave the assurance that the prices will come down in a couple of weeks when farmers in Techiman start harvesting.