In 2024, Nigeria experienced a sharp increase in the prices of tomatoes and peppers due to poor yields and other factors. However, since 2025, prices have been on a downward trend, coinciding with a tomato glut during harvest seasons. The National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) has introduced four new high-performing varieties of tomatoes and peppers, with the potential to enhance yields and resilience against diseases and pests.
The new varieties, which include two tomato cultivars, HORTITOM4 and HORTITOM5, and two yellow aromatic pepper cultivars, HORTIPEP1 and HORTIPEP2, have been approved by the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock/Fisheries as of April 15, 2025. NIHORT Executive Director Professor Mohammed Atanda highlighted this development as a step toward improving food security and increasing farmers' incomes. He stated, "The new seeds would also help reduce Nigeria's reliance on imported vegetable seeds, supporting broader agricultural self-sufficiency goals."
The HORTITOM varieties are designed for various cultivation methods, including open-field, screenhouse, and irrigated systems, and are adapted to Nigeria's diverse farming environments. They are noted for their high tolerance to bacterial wilt, high nutrient content, and a maturity period of 80 to 90 days, with yields ranging from 21.7 to 27.2 tonnes per hectare. HORTIPEP1 and HORTIPEP2 are open-pollinated and resistant to common diseases such as Cucumber mosaic virus and bacterial wilt, yielding between 18.6 to 20.11 tonnes per hectare and maturing in 100 to 125 days.
The introduction of these varieties is expected to contribute to Nigeria's food security objectives and stabilize tomato and pepper prices by enhancing supply. Professor Atanda expressed optimism about the potential for increasing local processing activities, which could create employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain. NIHORT plans to collaborate with seed companies, under the Ministry of Agriculture's guidance, to ensure the broad distribution of these seeds.
In related developments, tomato prices in Nigeria reportedly fell by up to 90% during the January 2025 harvest season, leading many consumers to stock up. Farmers cautioned that such low prices might not be sustainable throughout the year.
Source: Legit