The Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has dismissed fears of a possible hike in the prices of tomatoes and other vegetables during the forthcoming Ramadan fast, saying a bumper harvest and market timing would likely drive prices down.
The Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Mr Rabiu Zuntu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.
Zuntu explained that, unlike previous years when tomato and pepper prices surged during Ramadan, this year’s fasting period coincides with the peak harvest season in many northern states.
“Last year’s planting and harvest season was not beneficial for farmers generally, considering the low price of produce and the high cost of inputs for agricultural produce,” he said.
He noted that vegetable prices might even drop further during the fasting period due to increased cultivation and supply.
He said, “The prices of vegetable crops will drop further this Ramadan because the cultivation of most vegetable produce may increase due to the need for some vegetables to break the fast.
“Generally, the production of all food items decreases due to reduced consumption, and the Muslim faithful skip breakfast and lunch during the fast. So, the price of tomatoes may likely crash during Ramadan.”
Zuntu stressed that the prices of farm produce were largely dictated by market forces.
“However, the prices of these products are determined by the forces of demand and supply. When there is a high supply, the prices always go down,” he added.
He explained that many farmers in the North shifted to vegetable cultivation last year following a drop in grain prices, leading to improved yields despite the impact of the Tuta absoluta virus.
According to him, Ramadan usually begins around April when supply is low and harvest has ended, resulting in price hikes.
However, this year’s fasting period, expected to run from February to March, aligns with peak tomato harvest in states such as Kaduna, Kano and other northern areas.
“In some northern states like Kaduna, Kano and other areas where they have yet to pick up the harvest, this means the price of tomatoes may crash further.
“Nigerians should not expect any increase in the price of tomatoes during Ramadan because the demand will get lower due to the fast. The demand will reduce, and there’s still a high supply of tomatoes in the northern market,” he said.
Zuntu revealed that a 50kg basket of tomatoes currently sells for between ₦7,000 and ₦10,000 in the northern part of the country, depending on the size and species.
“As of last week and two weeks ago, the same quantity sold for as low as ₦5,000 per basket. Due to logistics, a 50kg basket of tomatoes sells between ₦18,000 and ₦20,000,” he said.
The association also appealed to the Federal Government to support vegetable farmers ahead of the 2026 planting season.
“As a chapter, we would like to appreciate the national leadership of the tomato farmers’ association for all their efforts to ensure that the government intervenes to reduce the hardship of vegetable farmers.
“We also appeal to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to come to the aid of vegetable farmers in the 2026 planting season, especially in the provision of farm inputs,” he said.
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