Tomato prices across Nigeria have experienced a significant decline due to a seasonal glut during the January-to-March harvest period.
In Lagos, the price of a 50kg basket of tomatoes has dropped to between N10,000 and N12,000, a sharp decrease from the N140,000 to N150,000 range recorded in May 2024.
This surplus has led to substantial post-harvest losses, with estimates indicating that nearly 50% of harvested tomatoes are lost annually during this period due to inadequate storage facilities and limited processing capabilities.
The Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (Kaduna State Chapter), Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, highlighted the challenges posed by the glut and emphasized the need for consumers to preserve tomatoes during this period to mitigate future scarcity.
Traders in Lagos have confirmed the price drop and are advising consumers to take advantage of the lower prices to stock up and preserve tomatoes for future use.
