Tomato Prices Plummet in Lagos Amid Harvest Season Glut

The price of tomatoes in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria has dropped significantly due to a glut caused by the ongoing harvest season, with a 50kg basket now selling for as low as N10,000 to N12,000.

Farmers and traders attribute the price crash to the surplus supply, which occurs annually between January and March. In Lagos, the price of a big basket of tomatoes has fallen to N13,000–N15,000, a staggering 90% drop from the N140,000–N150,000 range recorded in May 2024.

Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (Kaduna State Chapter), explained that while this period sees an abundance of tomatoes, poor storage and limited processing facilities result in significant post-harvest losses. He urged consumers to take advantage of the lower prices and adopt household preservation methods such as blending, boiling, and airtight storage.

Lagos traders confirm the price drop, with Mile 12 market vendors selling a 50kg basket for N15,000–N20,000. However, premium-quality tomatoes still command higher prices of N35,000–N37,000.

Consumers have raised concerns over preservation challenges, especially due to inconsistent electricity supply. Many are stocking up, anticipating price hikes in the coming months.