Fluctuating weather patterns over the past three months have caused interruptions in the supply of tomatoes, leading to dramatic increases in the price of the fruit, which is a staple in many homes.
Keitumetse Makhetha, a franchise industry analyst at Absa, this week reiterated that tomatoes were very sensitive to changes in weather.
In warmer conditions, the fruit ripens faster, which means that farmers have to harvest earlier. This causes an oversupply of the product.
However, a shortage can develop quickly if conditions are unfavourable, such as intense heat and heavy downpours, explains Makhetha.
These variations in supply can lead to price fluctuations, as has been the case over the past few months.
Makhetha said that, during November, there was a lot of rain and hail in the areas around…