The prices of tomatoes have plummeted in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria due to the harvest season, which has resulted in a glut of the produce.
According to farmers, the excess supply has led to a significant drop in prices, with a 50kg basket of tomatoes selling for as low as N10,000 to N12,000.
In Lagos, a big basket of tomatoes now sells for between N13,000 and N15,000, down from N140,000 to N150,000 in May 2024.
The price drop has been attributed to the harvest season, which typically occurs from January to March.
The Chairman of the Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, advised consumers to take advantage of the low prices and preserve as much of the produce as possible.
He noted that the sector experiences significant post-harvest losses due to lack of storage facilities and preservation technologies.
Zuntu explained that consumers can preserve tomatoes through various methods, including blending, boiling, and storing in airtight jars.
He also recommended burying tomatoes underground in a humid atmosphere to maintain their freshness.
“One of the problems we face in the tomato sector is that the period from January, February, and March is that of tomato glut (excess harvest of tomatoes).
“This tomato glut usually leads to almost 50 per cent post-harvest losses because we lack storage facilities, cold rooms, and other technologies to preserve the tomato and other vegetables.
“Presently, we only have a few functioning tomato processing facilities to help reduce our post-harvest losses we witness annually.
“We usually advise consumers during this period to preserve as much tomatoes as they can to cushion the effect when the produce gets expensive later in the year.
“During this glut period, households can buy it at a cheaper price and preserve it for the time when the price goes up,” Zuntu told NAN.
Tomato vendors in Lagos State confirmed the price drop and urged households to stock up on the produce while it is still affordable. Some consumers also shared their experiences, citing the challenges of preserving tomatoes due to inconsistent electricity supply.
Despite the challenges, many consumers are taking advantage of the low prices to buy and preserve tomatoes for future use.
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