Tomato prices across Nigeria are expected to decline significantly from August as fresh supplies from the wet-season harvest enter the market, the Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) has said.
The Kaduna State Chairman of TOPAN, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, disclosed this on Sunday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, the sharp rise in tomato prices since early May was caused by the end of the dry-season harvest, which led to a significant reduction in supply across the country.
He noted that a 50-kilogram basket of tomatoes, which sold for between ₦18,000 and ₦20,000 in January, now costs between ₦100,000 and ₦130,000, depending on the variety. A 25-kilogram crate currently sells for between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000 at wholesale markets in Lagos.
Zuntu described the increase as seasonal, assuring Nigerians that prices would begin to ease once farmers commence harvesting wet-season tomatoes.
“We projected that the increase in tomato prices would last until the end of July. From August, prices will begin to decline considerably because fresh supplies will enter the market,” he said.
He explained that the introduction of flood-resistant tomato varieties has enabled many farmers to continue cultivation during the rainy season, improving production despite difficult weather conditions.
According to him, if farmers had not adopted the improved varieties, consumers might have had to wait until October or November before prices declined.
Zuntu attributed the annual tomato shortage experienced between May and June to climate change, particularly unpredictable rainfall and extreme heat, which have affected production in major tomato-producing states, including Kaduna and Kano.
He added that wider access to heat-tolerant seed varieties would further improve production and reduce future shortages.
The TOPAN chairman called on the government and private investors to establish more cold-chain storage facilities to minimise post-harvest losses and stabilise tomato prices throughout the year.
He said proper storage would allow farmers to preserve harvested tomatoes for up to two months instead of losing them to spoilage, helping to bridge supply gaps and reduce seasonal price fluctuations.
Zuntu also urged the government to sustain support for tomato farmers through the provision of improved seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals.
He maintained that continued investment in the tomato value chain would encourage more farmers to remain in production, increase productivity and ensure a stable supply of tomatoes for consumers.
While noting that the current high prices have helped many farmers recover losses from previous production cycles, he stressed that long-term investment remains necessary to guarantee food security and maintain stable prices across the country.
Tomato Prices to Drop From August as Wet-Season Harvest Begins – TOPAN
