Production and marketing challenges of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Ethiopia. Review

Tomato is one of the most important and widely grown vegetables in the world. The aim is to review the key challenges on tomato production and marketing in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, tomato production is concentrated in river, valleys and lakes, especially in Awash Valley and around Lake Ziway for favorable growing conditions, good access to market outlets and better infrastructure. Tomato production is commercially important for fresh fruit market and processing. Some of tomato varieties that have been in use by farmers are used for processing and for fresh marketing. However, several constraints caused inconsistent of tomato production and low yielding’s are; the shortages of improved varieties, inadequate transport, poor marketing system, poor cultural practices, unreliable rainfall, price fluctuation, product nature (perishability), post-harvest losses, pest and diseases. Lack of market linkages, post-harvest losses, low institutional support, lack inputs and transportation are the key challenges. Small-scale producers are struggling to gain market access, but due to listed challenges the farmers are not selling their produce in an organized system and not getting the right shares. Therefore, critical attentions in harvesting and postharvest operations are very important to reduce losses, to keep quality and market standards. Moreover, addressing both production and market-related challenges are essential to minimize the losses, to access quality goods and to ensure the right shares for producers, distributors, processors and traders.