Nigerians may soon get relief from the soaring cost of tomatoes as the Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) says prices are expected to decline significantly from August with the arrival of the wet-season harvest.
The assurance was given by the Kaduna State Chairman of TOPAN, Rabiu Zuntu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Tomato prices have risen sharply since May due to the end of the dry-season harvest and reduced supply. A 50kg basket, which sold for between ₦18,000 and ₦20,000 in January, now costs between ₦100,000 and ₦130,000, while a 25kg crate currently sells for ₦50,000 to ₦70,000 in major wholesale markets.
According to Zuntu, the price increase is seasonal and will ease once fresh tomatoes from the wet-season harvest begin entering the market.
“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 use of flood-resistant tomato varieties has enabled many farmers to continue production during the rainy season, helping to improve supply.
Zuntu also attributed the recurring shortage between May and July to climate change, including extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall, which affect tomato production in key farming states such as Kaduna and Kano.
He called on the government and private investors to establish more cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise tomato prices throughout the year.
The TOPAN chairman also urged authorities to continue supporting farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals, saying sustained investment in the tomato value chain would boost production, improve food security and ensure more stable prices for consumers.
Source: NAN
