Infestation, hot weather fueling Tomato price hike – Farmers

The "Tuta Absoluta" pest's extensive infestation of nearby farms is the reason behind the current spike in tomato prices, according to the Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria.

This was stated by the association's chairman for Kaduna State, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, in a Thursday interview in Lagos with the News Agency of Nigeria.

The moth species Tuta absoluta, commonly referred to as Tomato Leaf Miner, belongs to the Gelechiida pest family.

It is a dangerous pest that affects tomatoes in South and Central America, western Asia, Europe, and Africa. If left unchecked, the larvae can cause up to a 100% loss in tomatoes.

Zuntu stated that the increase in tomato prices was brought on by a scarcity of tomatoes as a result of numerous farms being destroyed by the Tuta Absoluta insect.
Since there is a greater demand than there is supply of tomatoes, prices have increased.

Our farms currently produce low yields. Because of these insects and the hot weather in the north, many tomato farms have been destroyed.

"These insects have destroyed tomato farms throughout Kaduna and Katsina, the tomato-producing regions," the chairman declared.

Zuntu implored the government to assist in preventing the infestation by giving the farmers prompt interventions.

"During the hot season and in April and May, tomato farms are typically attacked by pests." The tomatoes are ready to be harvested at this point. These insects are attracted to high temperatures.

"The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has provided us with some interventions to address this infestation, but the intervention came late because most farmers have already lost their crops.
"The current situation could have been avoided if the interventions and chemicals had been introduced sooner," he stated.

He claimed that a price increase would not have occurred if certain tomato-producing states in North and Central Nigeria had gotten the pesticides sooner.

The exceptionally high temperatures we are having this season is another factor contributing to this hike.

"We make every effort to prevent this infestation from happening again the following year.

"Up North, a 50 kg tomato basket currently sells for N80,000, while a 25 kg tomato crate sells for N40,000 to N50,000, depending on the size," the man stated.

Two weeks ago, a 25 kg tomato basket sold for N14,000 per crate, and a 50 kg basket sold for N28,000 to N30,000, according to NAN.