Annual harvests of tomatoes in Nigeria worth about N180 billion survives mainly on rain-fed agriculture which has become very erratic due to climate change, creating need for massive investments in irrigation.
This N180 billion estimate is based on the country’s annual production of about 1.8million metric tons according to the former Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in 2014 and price of N5, 000 per 50kg basket which is the most regular price tomato is sold when there is no scarcity.
But as a result of climate change, every year since about 10 years ago, the prices of tomatoes skyrocket around April to July due to delayed or early rains, and/or flooding. This year, tomato price increased astronomically by almost 1,000 percent from N3, 000 to N5, 000 per 50kg basket around March/April to N30, 000 to N38, 000 in June/early July. The problem this year however also included lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria and pest/disease outbreak.
But as predicted by industry watchers, nature smiled again – tomatoes harvested mainly in the Southwest started flooding the market stabilising prices. Supply is expected to further increase as tomatoes harvested in the north would also be available by November/ December.
