Tomato Prices Triple at Mauritius Wholesale Market in One Year

Tomatoes — known locally as *pomme d'amour* — have become significantly more expensive for Mauritians over the past year, with official data showing prices rising by as much as 300% at the country's main wholesale food hub. The Agricultural Marketing Board (AMB), the state body that oversees agricultural trade in Mauritius, publishes regular statistical bulletins on transactions recorded at the National Wholesale Market (NWM) in Mauritius. The NWM, located in the central region of the island, is the primary point through which fresh produce is bought and sold in bulk before reaching retailers and consumers. The latest comparison — covering figures from 18 September 2026 against September 2025 data — paints a stark picture of both shrinking supply and surging prices. **Greenhouse tomatoes: from Rs 30 to Rs 100 per kilo** Greenhouse-grown tomatoes (*pomme d'amour sous serre*) recorded just 6,950 kg sold on 18 September 2026, at an average price of Rs 100 per kilogram — peaking at Rs 120/kg. A year earlier, the same variety was selling for Rs 30 per kilogram. That represents a price increase of more than 230% at average, and up to 300% at the peak. **Field tomatoes: volumes down, prices up 150%** Field-grown tomatoes (*pomme d'amour de terre*) tell a similar story. In September 2025, 5,135 kg were being sold at Rs 20 per kilogram. By 18 September 2026, volumes had dropped to just 3,425 kg, while the average price climbed to Rs 50 per kilogram — a 150% increase. **A sharp reversal from August 2026** What makes the September figures particularly striking is the contrast with just one month earlier. In August 2026, the NWM was well-stocked: 12,890 kg of greenhouse tomatoes were available at around Rs 60/kg, and 7,600 kg of field tomatoes at the same price. Within a single month, total tomato volumes collapsed and prices jumped significantly — suggesting a rapid supply disruption rather than a long-term structural trend. **What this means** For everyday Mauritian households, tomatoes are a staple ingredient, and a tripling in price at wholesale level translates directly into higher costs at markets and supermarkets. The AMB data signals stress in the local agricultural supply chain — whether due to seasonal production cycles, weather impacts on crops, or reduced planting activity. The figures also come at a time when Mauritius is facing broader economic scrutiny, with international institutions flagging cost-of-living pressures on the island. Rising fresh produce prices add to the squeeze felt by lower- and middle-income families who depend on local markets for affordable food. The AMB has not yet issued a public explanation for the supply contraction, and it remains unclear whether interventions — such as increased imports or price stabilisation measures — are being considered. Source: ION News