DAR ES SALAAM: MOST local fruit markets in Dar es Salaam Region are currently flooded with mangoes, driving prices down and making the fruit more affordable for buyers.
This influx of supply has created a win-win situation for both sellers and consumers, with mangoes becoming a staple in many households.
At Buguruni Market, the price of a single mango ranges from 100/- to 300/-, while smaller mangoes are sold in bundles of 10 for just 500/-.
A vendor at Buguruni Market, Mr Twaha Omary, explained that the abundance of mangoes comes from large shipments delivered by trucks from Tanga, driving prices even lower.
“Even the suppliers sell at very low prices, almost giving them away. Right now, the stock is moving fast. We buy large mangoes for as little as 100/-, and for bundles, we agree on prices based on the load,” Omary said.
A fruit vendor at Mabibo Market, Mr Gideon Silayo, noted that the high supply has driven up demand, with customers purchasing mangoes to make juice.
“With prices so low, people can buy enough mangoes to make juice for the whole family for just 400/-,” Silayo said.
Buguruni is now a popular destination for affordable mangoes, with prices significantly lower than other markets. In the off-season, a single mango could cost between 1,500/- and 2,000/-.
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A regular juice maker, Ms Siael Kimaro, shared how the price drop has reduced her weekly budget.
“I used to spend between 20,000/- to 25,000/- per week on juice ingredients, but now I spend only 10,000/- to 14,000/-,” Kimaro said.
She now enjoys a wider variety of juices, mixing mangoes with watermelon, avocados and passion fruit for different flavours. Ms Kimaro added that the affordability of fresh fruits has allowed her family to enjoy healthy, homemade juices instead of buying expensive sodas.
“The abundance of mangoes and watermelons has made it easier to provide refreshing, cost-effective drinks,” she said.
