Tomato farmers under the Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (TOPMAN) have assured Nigerians that tomato prices are unlikely to rise during the upcoming Ramadan fast, contrary to the usual seasonal trend.
The Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Zuntu said this year’s Ramadan period coincides with the peak of the tomato harvest, which will keep supply high and prices stable — or even lower.
“Unlike previous years when prices went up during Ramadan, this year will be different because we have a bumper harvest, and the timing of the fast favours availability,” he said.
He explained that reduced daytime food consumption during Ramadan often lowers overall demand, while increased vegetable cultivation in the North has boosted supply.
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“Generally, food consumption patterns change during the fast, and with high supply in the market, prices are expected to drop. When supply is high, prices naturally fall,” Zuntu noted.
According to him, many farmers shifted to vegetable farming last year following poor grain prices, resulting in higher yields despite challenges such as the Tuta absoluta pest.
He added that Ramadan typically falls around April, a period of low supply, but this year’s observance in February and March aligns with harvest season in key producing states like Kaduna and Kano.
“This means the price of tomatoes may even crash further. Nigerians should not expect any price increase during Ramadan because demand will reduce while supply remains high,” he said.
Zuntu disclosed that a 50kg basket of tomatoes currently sells for between N7,000 and N10,000 in the North, depending on size and variety. He noted that prices had dipped as low as N5,000 in recent weeks.
However, due to transportation and logistics costs, the same basket sells for between N18,000 and N20,000 in other markets.
He commended the national leadership of the association for advocating government support for farmers and called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assist vegetable farmers with inputs for the 2026 planting season.