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i AN ASSESSMENT OF TOMATO PRICE VARIABILITY IN LUSAKA ...

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ABSTRACT<br />

<strong>AN</strong> <strong>ASSESSMENT</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>TOMATO</strong> <strong>PRICE</strong> <strong>VARIABILITY</strong> <strong>IN</strong> <strong>LUSAKA</strong> <strong>AN</strong>D ITS<br />

EFFECTS ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS<br />

By<br />

Mukwiti Nchooli Mwiinga<br />

This paper discusses the structure and operation of the tomato subsector in Lusaka<br />

(Zambia), establishes the level of price variability for tomatoes in Lusaka’s Soweto<br />

market, and assesses the impact of tomato price variability on returns to tomato<br />

production. Price variability determination involved analysis of the coefficient of<br />

variation, conditional variance and the ratio of the mean absolute positive to negative<br />

price prediction errors. These results were compared with four other wholesale markets in<br />

Costa Rica, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and the United States of America (Chicago). These other<br />

countries were chosen to capture a wide range of supply chain development, as proxied<br />

by purchasing power parity Gross Domestic Product (PPP GDP). The study revealed that<br />

(a) PPP GDP is strongly negatively (positively) associated with price variability<br />

(predictability), and (b) Zambia has the lowest PPP GDP, highest price variability, and<br />

least tomato price predictability. Monte Carlo simulation analysis was then conducted to<br />

establish the effect that three different scenarios would have on the tomato farmers’ net<br />

returns. Increased sales frequency reduces the variability of expected price but has no<br />

recognizable impact on the variability of profits. Supply chain improvements also<br />

reduced the variability of prices. The production of high quality tomatoes has very<br />

significant effects on returns to farmers. Some policy implications drawn include, the<br />

need to establish formal grades and standards, investment in cold chain systems and<br />

general improvement in the traditional wholesale and retail market infrastructure.<br />

ii

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