Kaduna farmers predict a potential decrease in tomato costs starting August with the onset of the rainy season's crop yield.

The Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria is confident that the current steep prices of tomatoes will see a significant drop from August, as the wet-season harvest makes its way to the market.

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Mr Rabiu Zuntu, the Kaduna State Chairman of TOPAN, shared this assurance during a Sunday interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

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Since early May, tomato prices have skyrocketed due to the end of the dry-season harvest and subsequent supply shortage, according to NAN reports.

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A 50kg basket of tomatoes, which was priced between N18,000 and N20,000 in January, now costs a whopping N100,000 to N130,000, depending on the variety.

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In Lagos wholesale markets, a 25kg crate of tomatoes is currently selling for N50,000 to N70,000.

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Zuntu attributed the price surge to seasonal fluctuations, urging Nigerians to be patient, as supplies are expected to improve once wet-season tomato harvesting commences.

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According to Zuntu, the price increase was anticipated to last until the end of July, when wet-season harvesting begins, and from August, prices will start to decline substantially as fresh supplies enter the market.

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The adoption of flood-resistant tomato varieties has enabled many farmers to cultivate during the rainy season, thereby improving prospects for increased production, Zuntu explained.

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He noted that without these improved varieties, Nigerians might have had to wait until October or November for prices to drop.

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Zuntu blamed the recurring scarcity between May and June on climate change, particularly unpredictable rainfall patterns and extreme heat that limit tomato cultivation in major producing states like Kaduna and Kano.

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Heat-tolerant seed varieties could also boost production if made readily available to farmers, Zuntu added.

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He called on the government and private investors to establish more cold-chain storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilize prices throughout the year.

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Proper cold storage would allow farmers to preserve tomatoes for one or two months instead of watching them spoil, thereby bridging the gap between supply and demand and reducing seasonal price fluctuations, Zuntu said.

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Zuntu also urged the government to strengthen support for tomato farmers through regular interventions, including improved seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals.

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Sustained investment in the tomato value chain would encourage farmers to remain in production, improve productivity, and ensure more stable supplies for consumers, he noted.

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While the current high prices have helped many farmers recover losses from previous production cycles, long-term investment remains necessary to guarantee food security and price stability, Zuntu emphasized.