Farmers say the surplus supply has caused a sharp decline in prices, with a 50kg basket of tomatoes now priced as low as N10,000 to N12,000.

In Lagos, the price of a large basket of tomatoes has fallen to between N13,000 and N15,000, compared to N140,000 to N150,000 in May 2024.

The decrease in prices is linked to the harvest season, which usually takes place 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 surplus often results in nearly 50 percent post-harvest losses due to the absence of proper storage facilities, cold rooms, and other preservation technologies for tomatoes 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.