Agriculture Ministry moves to secure markets for farmers amid tomato surplus
Published:Thursday | March 6, 2025 | 8:33 PM
The Ministry of Agriculture says it is working to secure new markets for tomato farmers amid a glut.
According to the Ministry, while farmers have increased production, local demand for tomatoes has remained steady, resulting in an oversupply in the market.
As a result, prices have declined, posing challenges for farmers who are now struggling to sell their produce at sustainable rates, it noted.
In response, the Ministry says the marketing team at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is actively working to secure new markets by engaging aggregators, purveyors, and agro-processors to absorb the excess supply.
“Farmers facing challenges in selling their produce are encouraged to contact their RADA marketing officer for assistance.
“RADA has begun assessing the available produce, and the marketing officers will assist in connecting farmers with suitable markets accordingly.”
The Ministry says this situation underscores why it has made cold storage a national priority.
“A key part of this effort is the Kirkvine Cold Storage Facility in Manchester, being developed under the REDI II initiative in partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). This facility will include two 40-ft cold storage units providing 135.1 cubic meters of space, along with a separate 40-ft dry storage unit that adds an additional 67.54 cubic meters of capacity.
“It will also feature a dedicated processing area where produce can be sorted, washed, and graded before storage. To ensure sustainability and efficiency, the facility will be equipped with a photovoltaic system to reduce energy costs and a rainwater harvesting system to support operations.”
The Ministry says that with this investment, over 1,500 farmers and aggregators in Kirkvine, Content, and surrounding areas will have access to improved storage solutions, helping to stabilize prices, reduce waste, and strengthen Jamaica’s agricultural value chain.
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