Tomato Prices To Fall From August

Tomato Prices To Fall From August
Climate change and seasonal shortages drove the recent price increase.
TOPAN urged investment in cold storage and improved farming support.

The Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) has assured Nigerians that the current surge in tomato prices will begin to ease from August as the wet season harvest increases supplies across the country.

The Kaduna State Chairman of TOPAN, Rabiu Zuntu, gave the assurance in an interview on Sunday, attributing the sharp rise in prices to seasonal supply shortages following the end of the dry season harvest.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to him, 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, while a 25 kilogram crate sells for between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000 in Lagos wholesale markets.

“We projected that the increase in tomato prices would last until the end of July, when wet season harvesting begins.

“From August, prices will begin to decline considerably because fresh supplies will enter the market,” Zuntu said.

He explained that the adoption of flood resistant tomato varieties has enabled many farmers to cultivate during the rainy season, helping to improve production prospects.

“If farmers had not embraced these improved varieties, Nigerians might have had to wait until October or November before prices dropped,” he added.

Zuntu blamed the recurring tomato scarcity experienced between May and June on climate change, particularly unpredictable rainfall and extreme heat, which have affected cultivation in major producing states such as Kaduna and Kano.

He urged the government and private investors to establish more cold storage facilities to reduce post harvest losses and stabilise prices throughout the year.

The TOPAN chairman also called for increased government support through 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.

He noted that while the current high prices had helped some farmers recover previous losses, long term investments remained essential for sustainable production.