Nigerians cross to Cameroon easily to import tomatoes, carrots and other vegetables. The reason they go to Cameroon to import tomatoes, is that Nigerian tomatoes are seasonal. From April to May there are usually no tomatoes in the country. Then, tomatoes are imported from Cameroon, until August/September when Nigerian tomatoes are harvested again.
The trade volume across the Nigeria/Cameroon border is quite huge. A truckload of tomatoes from Cameroon into Nigeria is worth over Ngn3 million (€7,100). During the peak season, from June/July, over 40 trucks a day arrive. That is roughly Ngn120 million (€285,000).
Importing tomatoes has rather bolstered the Nigerian economy. This trade has provided lucrative jobs to many unemployed Nigerians.
For local farmers, it is not a threat. Local farmers do not have the capacity to sustain all-year round production of tomatoes to satisfy the consumers. Nigeria does not produce enough to meet even local demand.
Source: dailytrust.com.ng
