The Kano State Chairperson of Tomato Out Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), Sani Danladi, has said the high price of tomatoes in Nigerian markets is due to the commencement of the off-season period and slow production.
Mr Danladi, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, explained that the supply of tomatoes has reduced significantly compared to last year, with prices expected to remain high until September when tomato season begins.
In recent weeks, households in Nigeria have had to dig deeper into their pockets to buy tomatoes and pepper, as prices have risen sharply.
“There is the issue of Sallah celebration holidays for the past 2-3 weeks. Second thing is, it’s not the peak season. Even if there is no Sallah, the supply will not be as much as it was before.
“Because the production is slow now. So, we are just preparing now. Then it started to rain. So, some people are going back to the farm. Some have started transplanting. So, we have to manage it from now until September. That is when the tomatoes will be available again. But for now, that’s how it is,” Mr Danladi said.
The National President of Tomato Out Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), Abdulahi Ringim, noted that the price hike is a natural phenomenon due to the seasonal nature of tomato production.
He added that a massive outbreak of Tuta Absoluta, a pest that devastated tomato farms in several states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Jos earlier in the year, is also a major cause.
“Tomatoes are seasonal product. So at times tomatoes are expensive, at other times tomatoes are not expensive due to the seasonal nature of the produce.
The second reason was that there was an outbreak of tomato ebola. This year, in particular, there was a massive outbreak of tomato ebola called Tuta Absoluta, and it wiped out so many farms in Kano, in Kaduna, in Jos, and we have reported that even to the Ministry of Agriculture, they promised intervention and we are still waiting for that,” he said.
Additionally, he said transportation costs have increased due to the hike in fuel prices and multiple checkpoints along highways, where truck drivers are often forced to pay bribes or face delays, leading to spoilage of the perishable produce.
