Coriander Up 140%, Tomatoes Crash at Mauritius Market in 2026

Mauritian households are feeling the pinch at the market this November, as fresh produce prices swing wildly in both directions. Data from the National Wholesale Market (NWM), the main wholesale hub for fruit and vegetables in Mauritius, comparing prices on 6 November 2025 and 6 November 2026, reveals some striking shifts in what families pay for everyday ingredients.

The biggest shock is in aromatic herbs, with coriander, known locally as cotomili and a staple in Mauritian rougaille and chutney, leading the surge. Its highest recorded price at the NWM jumped 50 percent over the year, from Rs 100 per kilogram to Rs 150 per kilogram. Even more telling is the Most Common Price, the rate shoppers are most likely to encounter, which rocketed from Rs 50 per kilogram in November 2025 to Rs 120 per kilogram in November 2026, a rise of 140 percent in twelve months.

The upward pressure on herbs is widespread. Mint saw its peak price reach Rs 100 per kilogram, with its most common price climbing from Rs 60 to Rs 90. Parsley prices followed a similar upward trend across the same period.

On the other end of the scale, tomatoes, called pomme d'amour in Mauritian Creole, experienced a dramatic price collapse. After a period of elevated prices, the market saw a sharp correction that will offer some relief to consumers but signals difficult conditions for local growers who had invested in the crop.

The NWM functions as the primary price-setting point for fresh produce across the island. Prices established there filter through to market traders, supermarkets and street vendors, meaning movements at wholesale level have a direct and rapid effect on what consumers pay at retail.

Several factors typically drive volatility of this kind in Mauritius. Rainfall patterns, cyclone damage to crops, import costs, and seasonal demand all play a role. Herbs such as coriander are particularly sensitive because they are perishable, grow in relatively small volumes locally, and are difficult to substitute in traditional Mauritian cooking.

What this means for Mauritian consumers and families: the sharp rise in coriander and mint prices means that even small purchases of fresh herbs now cost significantly more than they did a year ago, stretching household budgets for staples used in daily cooking. The fall in tomato prices provides partial relief, but the overall picture at the NWM points to continued volatility in the food basket. Shoppers may need to adjust recipes, buy smaller quantities of herbs, or explore dried alternatives until market conditions stabilise. Local farmers and traders meanwhile face uncertain planning conditions, as prices can move sharply within a single season.

Source: ION News