Watermelon price plummets 50pc in one month

DAR ES SALAAM: WHOLESALE watermelon prices in Dar es Salaam have plunged by over 50 per cent in the last month, a result of a bumper harvest and low demand during the cold season.

The market is currently oversaturated with fruit from the nearby Coast Region, causing prices to fall as consumer interest decline.

A spot survey by the Daily News on Wednesday showed that a wholesale price for a large watermelon currently sells for between 7,000/- and 8,000/- compared to 10,000/- to 12,000/- a month ago, while the small size dropped from 2,000/- to 3,500/- to as low as 500/- to 1,500/-.

Veterinary market ViceChairperson Mashaka Ponera said the cold season between June and August normally affects demand. He also suggested that the upcoming general election might be leading some people to save money, further dampening consumer spending.

“Due to low demand the fruits take up to four days to be sold unlike a month ago which sold in a single day,” Mr Ponera said.

Alongside, the Vice-Chairperson said, the current harvests are not producing largesized watermelons, resulting in average prices that allow farmers to earn more when traders purchase directly from them, while vendors sell at lower prices.

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The Veterinary is the largest watermelon market not only in Dar es Salaam but countrywide. The market currently receives 8–12 semi-trailers per day, carrying around 1,000 to 1,600 watermelons.

This is a steep drop from the peak season when the market handled 10–18 semi-trailers daily, each loaded with more fruits.

Additionally, the Chairperson said the price also dropped due to lower transport cost from Coast to Dar per kilometres compared to a long distance from Mbeya, Mwanza, Shinyanga, or Tabora. Traders on average sourcing watermelon from Coast which is around 50 kilometres compared to between 200 and 1000 kilometres The price slump has had a negative impact on the entire supply chain.

A tricycle rider, Ramadhan Halil, said that his daily earnings have been cut by more than half, dropping from 65,000/- to 85,000/- to just 25,000/- to 35,000/-.

“When watermelon sales drop, our ‘gutas’ tricycles sit idle—there are no customers. Sometimes operations halt entirely,” he said.

A watermelon vendor at the Veterinary Market, Thadeo Leonard said the difference compared to two months ago is significant but is part and parcel of trading.

“This is normal in business. Sellers often face seasonal price pressures, sometimes forced to sell at a loss during peak harvests,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ponera said the municipal council should consider establishing a permanent market for watermelons, noting that despite infrastructure challenges, the current market has become a hub for East African trade, supplying fruits to Uganda and Kenya.