Ramadan: Tomato, Vegetable Farmers Dismiss Price Hike; Peg Basket Between #7,000 & #10,000
The Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has allayed fears of the usual annual price hike of tomatoes and other vegetable produce during the upcoming Ramadan fast.
The Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.
Zuntu noted that unlike previous years, when tomato and pepper prices rose during Ramadan, this year would be different due to a bumper harvest and the timing of the fast.
“Last year’s planting and harvest season was not beneficial for farmers generally, considering the low price of produce and the high cost of inputs for agricultural produce.
The prices of vegetable crops will drop further this Ramadan because the cultivation of most vegetable produce may increase due to the need for some vegetables to break the fast.
“Generally, the production of all food items decreases due to reduced consumption, and the Muslim faithful skip breakfast and lunch during the fast. So, the price of tomatoes may likely crash during Ramadan.
“However, the prices of these produce are determined by the forces of demand and supply. When there is a high supply, the prices always go down,” Zuntu said.
He explained that last year, due to the decrease in the price of some grains and other food items, many farmers in the north cultivated more vegetable items.
“Most Ramadan fasts usually begin around April, when there’s a low supply in the market because the harvest period is over.
“But this year, Ramadan will begin in February and end in March. This period coincides with the peak of the tomato harvest.
“In some northern states like Kaduna, Kano, and other areas where they have yet to pick up the harvest, this means the price of tomatoes may crash further.
“Nigerians should not expect any increase in the price of tomatoes during Ramadan because the demand will get lower due to the fast. The demand will reduce, and there’s still a high supply of tomatoes in the northern market,” he added.
He disclosed that “currently, a 50kg basket of tomatoes up north sells between N7,000 and N10,000, depending on the species or size.
Ramadan: Tomato, Vegetable Farmers Dismiss Price Hike; Peg Basket Between #7,000 & #10,000
Byadmin
Feb 8, 2026