Why Tomato, Pepper Prices Are Soaring Again Across Nigeria
Seasonal Gaps Trigger Supply Shortage
TOMATOES and peppers — essential ingredients in Nigerian kitchens — have once again become expensive, with prices climbing sharply across markets nationwide.
Experts say the surge is largely tied to seasonal production cycles. With the dry season harvest ending and the rainy season harvest yet to fully mature, supply has dropped significantly, creating a familiar gap in availability.
Industry stakeholders note that this pattern repeats yearly, but its impact has become more severe due to deeper structural weaknesses in the agricultural system.
Rising Production Costs Compound Crisis
Beyond seasonal factors, farmers are grappling with rising input costs. Fertilisers, seeds, agrochemicals, irrigation fuel and labour have all become significantly more expensive due to inflation and currency pressures.
These increased costs are inevitably passed on to consumers, driving up the final market price of produce.
Agriculture experts say the cost of production has nearly doubled in some cases, forcing many farmers to scale back cultivation.
Transport, Infrastructure Worsen Situation
Nigeria’s weak logistics and infrastructure systems are further exacerbating the crisis. Poor road networks, high fuel costs and transport inefficiencies make it more expensive to move produce from northern farms to southern markets.
Stakeholders also point to multiple levies and logistical bottlenecks that increase the cost burden on traders and distributors.
Post-Harvest Losses Deepen Scarcity
A major concern remains the country’s inability to preserve perishable goods. Experts estimate that Nigeria loses between 30 to 50 per cent of its horticultural produce due to inadequate storage and lack of cold-chain systems.
This leads to a cycle of glut during harvest periods and extreme scarcity shortly after — a key driver of recurring price spikes.
Insecurity, Climate Pressures Add Strain
Insecurity in major farming regions continues to discourage production, with farmers facing threats from banditry and kidnapping.
At the same time, climate variability — including irregular rainfall, drought and excessive heat — is disrupting planting cycles and reducing yields.
A Structural Problem, Not a Temporary Spike
Analysts warn that the rising prices reflect deeper systemic issues rather than temporary disruptions.
Without sustained investment in irrigation, storage, transport infrastructure and policy coordination, Nigerians may continue to face recurring food inflation.
