Traders Tell Nigerians Tomato Prices Will Ease From August

TOPAN has told Nigerians that tomato prices, which are currently high, are likely to fall significantly from late July when the wet‑season harvest starts.

Kaduna State chairman of TOPAN, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, provided the statement during a Sunday interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

NAN noted that tomato prices have surged since early May, after the dry‑season harvest ended and supply fell.

A 50‑kg basket that fetched N18,000 to N20,000 in January now sells for N100,000 to N130,000, depending on the variety.

Likewise, a 25‑kg crate is priced at N50,000 to N70,000 in Lagos wholesale markets.

Zuntu said the rise was seasonal and urged patience, adding that supply would improve once farmers begin harvesting wet‑season tomatoes.

“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,” he said.

He added that adopting flood‑resistant tomato varieties has allowed many farmers to grow during the rainy season, boosting production prospects.

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

He blamed the recurring shortages in May and June on climate change, especially unpredictable rainfall and extreme heat, which restrict tomato farming in key states like Kaduna and Kano.

Zuntu added that heat‑tolerant seed varieties could further lift production if they were more readily available to farmers.

He urged the government and private investors to create more cold‑chain storage facilities to cut post‑harvest losses and stabilize prices year‑round.

“When harvest is abundant, proper cold storage will allow farmers to preserve tomatoes for one or two months instead of watching them spoil.”

“That will help bridge the gap between supply and demand and reduce seasonal price fluctuations,” he said.

The TOPAN chairman also urged the government to enhance support for tomato farmers with regular interventions such as better seeds, fertilizers and agrochemicals.

He said that sustained investment in the tomato value chain would encourage farmers to stay in production, boost productivity and provide more stable supplies for consumers.

He noted that although the current high prices had helped many farmers recover losses from earlier production cycles, long‑term investments were still needed to secure food security and price stability.