The recent spike in tomato prices across Nigeria has been attributed to widespread insect infestations ravaging farms, according to the Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria.
The association’s Kaduna State chairman, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, revealed that the notorious “Tuta absoluta,” also known as the Tomato Leaf Miner, has caused significant damage to tomato crops, leading to a shortage in supply.
“This has made the demand for tomatoes higher than supply, hence the price hike,” Zuntu explained in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos. “We presently have low yields in our farms. A lot of tomato farms have been destroyed by these insects due to the hot weather in the north.”
The Tuta absoluta is a species of moth from the Gelechiida pest family, widely regarded as a serious threat to tomato cultivation in Europe, Africa, western Asia, and South and Central America. Its larvae can cause up to 100 percent crop loss if left uncontrolled.
Zuntu highlighted that the infestation has been particularly severe in major tomato-producing states like Kaduna and Katsina, where farms have been decimated by the pests. “Tomato farms across Kaduna and Katsina (the highest producers of tomatoes) have been razed by these insects,” he lamented.
The association has urged the government to provide timely interventions and support to farmers to combat the infestation effectively. Zuntu noted that while interventions from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security were received, they came too late, as most farmers had already lost their crops.
“If the interventions and chemicals came earlier, we would have been able to prevent the current situation,” he said, stressing the importance of prompt action to curb the infestations, which typically occur during the hot season from April to May.
The impact of the infestation has been severe, with a 50-kg basket of tomatoes now selling for as high as N80,000 in the northern regions, while a 25-kg crate fetches between N40,000 and N50,000, depending on size. Just two weeks ago, a 25-kg basket cost around N14,000, and a 50-kg basket sold for N28,000 to N30,000.
As the Tomato Growers Association gears up for the next planting season, Zuntu emphasized their determination to take proactive measures and coordinate with authorities to prevent a recurrence of the devastating infestation, ensuring a stable supply and reasonable prices for this essential commodity.
