Emmanuel Ochayi
The price of tomatoes has dropped significantly in Lagos and other major cities, bringing much-needed relief to households across Nigeria. Farmers are attributing this development to a bumper harvest recorded during the January -March harvest period.
In Lagos, the price of a 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells for an average of N14,000, compared to N150,000 in May 2024. This represents a staggering 90% drop in prices over eight months.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA vendor at the Mile 12 Market, Lagos, Bamidele Afolabi, expressed his surprise at the price change. “In May last year, we were selling a big basket of tomatoes for N150,000. Now, it’s just N14,000. The difference is huge, and we are happy because more people are buying,” he said.
Tomatoes Prices in Northern Nigeria Also Decline
The northern states, known for their tomato farming, have also recorded reduced prices. A 25kg plastic crate of tomatoes now sells for an average of N6,500, according to reports. Farmers in the region have attributed this to favorable weather conditions and increased tomato production.
Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, shared insights on the situation. “This is the time of tomato glut,” Zuntu explained. “From January to March, tomatoes produce abundantly, and the surplus often drives prices down.”
Zuntu noted that this trend happens annually during this harvest season but brings challenges with it. “We face significant post-harvest losses because we lack enough functioning tomato processing facilities. Most of the tomatoes are wasted,” he said.
Calls for Preservation During Low Tomatoes Prices
Zuntu advised Nigerians to take advantage of the reduced prices and stock up on tomatoes. “We usually tell consumers to preserve as much as they can during this period to prepare for when prices rise later in the year,” he said.
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He also encouraged households to explore different preservation techniques. “Drying and freezing tomatoes are effective methods for individuals and small-scale buyers. But large-scale preservation remains a challenge due to limited storage infrastructure,” he added.
Nigerians React to Price Drop
In Lagos, shoppers expressed mixed feelings about the news. A resident, Sarah Adeola, said, “I’m excited because I can now buy a lot more tomatoes than I could last year. Last year, I spent so much on just a small basket. Now, I can buy three times that for the same price.”
However, traders like Afolabi noted that lower prices sometimes mean reduced profits for farmers. “It’s good for the buyers, but some farmers are struggling to sell off their produce before it spoils,” he said.
Government Urged to Support Tomato Processing
Farmers and market stakeholders are calling on the government to step in and address the issue of post-harvest losses. Zuntu emphasised the need for more tomato processing facilities in Nigeria.
“We only have a few functioning processing plants in the country,” Zuntu said. “The government needs to invest in this sector to reduce waste and stabilise tomatoes prices throughout the year.”
Looking Ahead
Tomatoes prices are expected to rise again by April as the glut period ends. Zuntu urged households to plan for this eventuality. “Prices will peak later in the year when supply drops. Consumers should prepare by buying and preserving now,” he said.
For now, Nigerians can enjoy affordable tomatoes while farmers continue to push for sustainable solutions to manage surpluses and reduce losses.
