Traders and producers under the Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria have played down concerns that tomato and vegetable prices will rise during the 2026 Ramadan fast. They say the combination of a strong harvest and favourable market timing is expected to push prices lower instead.
This position was shared by the Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, during a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.
According to him, the situation this year differs from previous Ramadan periods when tomatoes and peppers became more expensive. He explained that the upcoming fasting season coincides with the peak harvest period across several northern states, which typically leads to increased supply.
Zuntu noted that the previous farming cycle was challenging for many growers because produce sold cheaply while the cost of agricultural inputs remained high, reducing farmers’ overall gains.
He added that vegetable prices could decline even further during Ramadan as more farmers expand cultivation to meet the demand for foods commonly used to break the fast.
In his words, increased production of vegetables is expected since many households rely on them during the fasting season, which will naturally boost supply in the markets.
He also explained that during Ramadan, overall food consumption patterns change because many Muslims skip breakfast and lunch, which can reduce total demand for some food items. This shift, he said, could contribute to a possible drop in tomato prices.
Zuntu emphasized that farm produce prices are primarily influenced by demand and supply forces, noting that when supply is abundant, market prices usually fall.
He further revealed that a number of northern farmers switched to vegetable farming last year after grain prices dropped. This shift, he said, helped improve output levels despite the presence of the Tuta absoluta pest that previously affected tomato crops.
Typically, he explained, Ramadan often occurs around April when supplies are low and harvests have ended, a situation that usually pushes prices upward.
However, the 2026 fasting period—expected between February and March—aligns with the main tomato harvest in states such as Kaduna, Kano, and other northern regions, which is likely to keep prices down.
He stated that in areas where harvesting is still ongoing, the continued inflow of fresh produce could further reduce tomato prices across markets.
Zuntu reassured consumers that a price increase is unlikely during Ramadan because demand is expected to dip while supply remains high in northern markets.
Providing current market figures, he disclosed that a 50kg basket of tomatoes presently sells for about ₦7,000 to ₦10,000 in the North, depending on size and variety.
He added that in previous weeks, the same quantity had sold for as low as ₦5,000, while transportation and logistics costs push prices to roughly ₦18,000–₦20,000 in some other locations.
The association also called on the Federal Government to provide support for vegetable farmers ahead of the 2026 planting season.
They expressed appreciation to the national leadership of the tomato farmers’ body for efforts aimed at securing government intervention to ease farmers’ challenges.
Finally, the group appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assist vegetable producers—particularly through the provision of essential farm inputs—to strengthen production in the coming season.
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