The Rising Cost of Tomatoes in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the price of tomatoes has witnessed a dramatic surge, causing significant repercussions for both consumers and sellers across the country. The skyrocketing prices have sparked concerns and impacted daily life for citizens. Numerous Nigerians nationwide are currently expressing their dissatisfaction. Adding to the already high cost of living, consumers have reported feeling the effects of this situation.

In a recent news story published by the peoples gazette, Housewives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja are opting for alternatives to tomatoes as prices surge. In response to the skyrocketing prices, households are exploring alternative ingredients and recipes for their stews and sauces, such as eggplants, carrots, pumpkins, pawpaw, and traditional soups like white soup and palm fruit soup. Many families, accustomed to enjoying rice with tomato stew, have found satisfaction in eggplant stew, which closely resembles the taste of tomato stew. 

The current situation isn’t only affecting low-income families, rich people are equally lamenting about the situation. Billionaire daughter Hauwa Indimi-Yar’adua, the daughter of Maiduguri billionaire oil mogul Mohammed Indimi, took to social media to also complain. She wrote, “I sent my people to the market, and as of yesterday, this is ₦‎8,000 tomatoes. Still not over it.”

Factors behind the price increase

Between June 26th and 27th, 2023, tomato prices nearly doubled, with a 50kg basket of tomatoes increasing from  64,000 to  90,000 in just 24 hours, and continuing to rise significantly since. 

There were a number of causes for this increase, including: 

• Tomato ebola outbreak, leading to reduced production and quality
• scarcity as a result of end of season 
• The high cost of fertilizers discourages tomato farmers from planting
• The recent fuel hike, leading to increased transportation costs.

The graph below represents the prices of tomatoes in Nigeria over a period of one year, from June 2022 to June 2023. The graph shows the prices for a 50kg basket of tomatoes.

The government, agricultural stakeholders, and industry experts are closely monitoring the situation. They are actively seeking solutions to alleviate the tomato crisis. Efforts are being made to address the underlying factors contributing to the price hike, with a focus on supporting tomato farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices.

In the meantime, consumers and sellers are left grappling with the consequences of skyrocketing tomato prices. They are making adjustments to their daily routines and seeking alternative ingredients to cope with this challenging situation.

In conclusion, considering the aforementioned factors, it is unclear what the trend in the price of tomatoes will be throughout the year. However, Pricepally will continue to publish these price trends. We will also continue to offer competitive prices for tomatoes and other food items when compared to local markets.