The association attributed the current spike in tomato prices to seasonal supply shortages following the end of the dry-season harvest, assuring consumers that the situation is temporary and will improve as farmers commence harvesting during the rainy season.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, the Kaduna State Chairman of TOPAN, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, said the anticipated increase in supply would ease pressure on the market and bring down prices considerably.
NAN reports that tomato prices have surged sharply since early May due to reduced availability across major producing states. 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, depending on the variety. Likewise, a 25-kilogram crate currently sells for between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000 in wholesale markets in Lagos.
Zuntu explained that the current price increase follows the usual seasonal production cycle and urged Nigerians not to panic.
“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.
According to him, the introduction and adoption of flood-resistant tomato varieties have enabled many farmers to continue cultivation during the rainy season, boosting expectations for improved production and a steadier supply.
“If farmers had not embraced these improved varieties, Nigerians might have had to wait until October or November before prices dropped,” he said.
Zuntu also linked the recurring tomato shortages experienced between May and June to the growing impact of climate change, particularly erratic rainfall patterns and extreme temperatures, which have made cultivation more difficult in major tomato-producing states such as Kaduna and Kano.
He noted that wider access to heat-tolerant tomato seed varieties would further strengthen production and help farmers cope with changing weather conditions.
Beyond improved seed varieties, the TOPAN chairman stressed the need for greater investment in storage infrastructure, calling on both government and private investors to establish more cold-chain facilities across the country.
According to him, better storage would drastically reduce post-harvest losses, preserve surplus produce during peak harvest periods and help stabilise tomato prices throughout the year.
“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.
Zuntu further urged the government to sustain interventions in the tomato sector through the provision of improved seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals to farmers.
He maintained that continuous investment across the tomato value chain would not only encourage more farmers to remain in production but also improve productivity, strengthen food security and guarantee more stable tomato supplies for consumers.
While acknowledging that the current high market prices have enabled many farmers to recover losses from previous production seasons, he emphasised that long-term investments remain essential to achieving lasting price stability and ensuring consistent availability of tomatoes across the country.