X-raying tomato market facts

According to findings by Novus Agro Commodity Company, tomato retail prices in Mile 12 Market in Lagos State, were lowest in the first four months of the year 2013 and 2014, historical data on Mile 12 Market prices show this.

Tomato retail prices in Mile 12 reached highest in middle four months (May to August) of the year 2013 and 2014, according to the data.

Locally produced tomatoes in Osun State are often sold in Shekona, Oluode, Oje markets and Oja-titun, according to sources. Tomatoes from Northern producing states are also sold in the state, and as a result of the additional logistics, Oja-titun serves the best quality in Osun State but at higher prices than other markets.

Year-on-year, average price for tomatoes in Oja-titun rises, with 2014 prices highest in May.

Wholesale tomato prices in Osun follow a trend where prices are generally highest in Oja-titun (Ife), and lowest in Shekona and Oje markets.

Novus Agro enumerators gave the following reasons for tomatoes price fluctuations in middle of last year:

– Seasonal Variation: During the planting season of tomatoes, just before the rains in the second quarter of the year, there is a little bit of scarcity. During the rainy season, tomatoes are become even more scarce because they are still on the field. There is also increased spoilage due to the rainy season

Tomatoes start to ripen after the rains and this is the period they are harvested and become abundant in supply.

– Transportation hitches: Farmgate markets where tomatoes are sourced become swampy and inaccessible due to the rainy season; J5 buses now deliver tomato to the market as against the usual trailers due to bad road conditions thus increasing transportation cost. The relatively stable price experienced in 2012 was due to excess of stored up tomatoes that flooded the market thus keeping price controlled our Mile 12 sources opined.

Due to the activities of some processing companies such as Primlaks that freezes raw foods such as tomatoes while they are still fresh, increased production in some parts of the country not affected by terrorism, the prices have been more stable in recent years.

Novus Agro is a business focused on bridging the information gap in agriculture, giving farmers access to markets and inputs, creating employment by empowering nagropreneurs and generally bringing technological solutions to agriculture in Nigeria.

OLUYINKA ALAWODE