Vendors at the Sta. Cruz Public Market in Zamboanga City are having a difficult time disposing of their tomatoes even if they bring the price down. 

“Bagsak presyo na lang. kung dili mahurot idala na lang namu oli,” Tomato farmer and supplier, Vivencia Ortega, said.

“Yung mga kamatis namin nangabulok na lang. Dili mahalin,” a vendor, Erlinda Lumungtad, said.

From P70 to P90 per kilo, vendors have brought the price down to P40 per kilo in the hope of recovering their capital but there is simply oversupply of the tomatoes. 

For example, the supply of tomatoes from the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and other neighboring provinces arrived all at once.

The farmers said tomato production is high during the hot weather as they yield fast. However, tomato farms also need water as other plantations are dying due to lack of water, especially that the city continues to experience El Niño.

“Ganahan, pero kanang mga seedling kanang ipatubo pa siya dili siya maunsa pero pag-ibot kung makulangan sa tubig mamatay gihapon,” Ortega said.

The Office of the City Agriculturist said the city government has allocated some P10.5 million for assistance to the affected farmers.