According to the Nigerian Tomato Growers and Processors Association, low production output and strong demand during the Sallah holiday are to blame for the increase in tomato prices.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos today, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, the Chairman of TOPAN’s Kaduna State branch, stated as much.
However, Zuntu forecast that tomato prices will decline over the course of the following two weeks.
The low production output of farmers and the increasing demand during the celebrations are the main causes of the produce price increase.
The strong demand for the crop and the poor level of farmer production are the primary causes of the recent, steady increase in tomato prices.
The price of tomatoes has been high this time around due to the recently finished Sallah holiday, other high demands we’ve seen recently, and the Easter celebration.
“Everything will return to normal after the celebrations in a week or two, so expect the price of tomatoes to normalize at that time,” Zuntu stated.
He also pointed out that tomato prices were within typical levels before the Sallah celebrations, attributing the price increase to transportation expenses.
A rafia basket of tomatoes sold for between N10,000 and N15,000 up north before to the Sallah celebrations, but throughout the week, the same basket sold for N30,000 and more.
However, since the cost of pepper is always rising, we are powerless to comment on it. In fact, peppers aren’t in season right now.
“To satisfy the rising demand for this stuff, we must boost productivity. The chairman stated that the increase in produce prices is partly influenced by the cost of logistics.
According to reports, a rafia basket of tomatoes in the South West sold for between N20,000 and N30,000 in January 2025. Today, the same size basket sells for between N60,000 and N70,000.
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