This year, Nigeria has experienced an uptick in tomato prices, with factors such as pest infestations, elevated transportation costs, and seasonality playing roles. A BusinessDay JuneTalkExchange poll sheds light on these issues, pinpointing the Tuta absoluta insect infestation as the chief culprit, according to 42.9% of respondents. This pest significantly reduces tomato output through crop devastation. Seasonality and weather issues, alongside high transportation costs due to rising fuel prices, were also highlighted, each by 28.6% of respondents, as contributing to the price surge.
Regarding the impact of these factors, 57.1% of respondents viewed the Tuta absoluta's effect as major. High transportation costs were deemed to have a major impact by 71.4% of participants. Opinions on seasonality and weather issues' impact were divided. Solutions proposed include enhancing transportation and logistics, and better planning and forecasting for seasonal variations. Security concerns, notably from herdsmen attacks, were also mentioned as significant obstacles to tomato production, contributing to scarcity and inflation.
Source: businessday.ng