In Gombe State, Nigeria, tomato and pepper farmers, alongside dealers within the Bula community of Akko Local Government, are currently grappling with a drastic reduction in the market prices of their commodities. Within a span of two weeks, the cost of a big basket of tomatoes experienced a sharp decline of 90%, plummeting from ₦10,000 to just ₦1,000, while bell peppers and scotched bonnet peppers also saw significant price drops of 75% and 68% respectively. This sudden market shift has resulted in considerable financial losses for the local agricultural sector.
Alhaji Saleh Maikudi, Chairman of the Tomato Farmers Association in Bula, highlighted the dire situation, noting the substantial daily losses incurred by farmers and dealers due to the price drop. With the local market flooded with produce, Maikudi emphasized the urgent need for government intervention, specifically calling for the establishment of processing facilities to mitigate post-harvest losses and stabilize prices. Similarly, Malam Khalifa Bello, head of the Vegetables Sellers Association, echoed this sentiment, advocating for support in developing the tomato value chain to ensure profitability and sustainability for farmers in the region.
The current crisis is attributed to an overabundance of tomatoes and peppers in the market, a consequence of peak harvest periods. As a result, over 1,500 baskets of tomatoes and 2,000 bags of peppers are being dispatched daily from Bula to various parts of Nigeria, exacerbating the supply glut and driving prices down. This situation marks a stark contrast to earlier in the year when a big basket of tomatoes fetched as much as ₦150,000 in May.
Source: Pulse