8 Economic Importance of Tomatoes in Nigeria

In this post, we look at the 8 most important Economic Importance of Tomatoes in Nigeria. Most notable importance of Tomatoes include food, employment, income and others.

Nigeria must, as a matter of necessity make up its mind to diversity its economy, and one of those ways to do this, is for the nation to pay due attention to agriculture.

But my focus in this article will be on tomatoes cultivation, and production, as well as tomatoes processing, as I discuss the economic important of tomatoes in Nigeria.

Read Also: How Profitable is Tomatoes Farming in Nigeria

It is time therefore, for Nigeria to turn its attention to tomatoes, and consider it as a path that will help front agriculture as one of the mainstays of the Nigeria’s economy and economic diversification.

Why is this important? It is because, for example, a recent study has proven that, the majority of tomatoes brand in the Nigerian markets are almost imported brand, more so, tomatoes that are locally branded cannot be found.

It is against this backdrop, that tomatoes processing into tomato paste, and juice, and ketchup, and sauce, among others should be considered an investment opportunity that is profitable for the country.

Read Also: 7 Steps to Start Tomatoes Processing in Nigeria

What Then Are The Economic Importance Of Tomatoes?

There are so much economic importance of tomatoes in Nigeria, and in this article, I am discussing as many as such economic importance of tomatoes as possible. Below are economic importance of tomatoes in Nigeria:

1. As A Lucrative Business, Tomatoes Guarantees Returns In Investment

Talking about economic importance of tomatoes in Nigeria, I will say that tomatoes remained one of the best agricultural investment option in the country, owing to the fact that, tomatoes production is lucrative business, and it is that business which guaranteed good returns on investment, why?

It is because tomatoes is being demanded for domestic use and industrial use in Nigeria. And such demand has brought about peak rates for tomatoes demand

2. As Source Of Rich Minerals, Tomatoes Is Used As Juice, Sauce When Processed

Tomatoes is one of those common crops that is rich in minerals, rich in carbohydrates as well as, rich in vitamins. Tomatoes is used as salad hence, you can eat tomatoes at its raw state as an important recipe of salad. Tomatoes is processed into juice and it is also processed into sauce for human consumption.

Of course, tomatoes is also used as a better ingredient whenever there is preparation of different kinds of food, especially stew.

You will agree with me that tomatoes paste or tomatoes packaged in tins are of various  sizes, and these served various segments of Nigeria’s markets.

Read Also: Tomatoes Cultivation and Its Potential in Nigeria

3. Locally Processed Tomatoes Based Products Attracts Foreign Exchange Earnings

Taking a look into the international tomatoes market, Nigeria has made relatively contribution to the global supplies, which have actually earned the country foreign exchange, which is likely to stimulate national food sufficiency if more attention is given to tomatoes production in Nigeria.

At this point however, although processed tomato-based products supplied by local processors are scarcely noticed, perhaps, because of the inadequate local processing facilities, but there is possible improvement towards this.

4. Tomatoes Market Has Become To Sellers’ Market

Tomatoes market in Nigeria is fast becoming the sellers’ market. This is very obvious! This however, has brought about fairly development in the Tomatoes market, and given this development, there is a considerable substantial investment prospects in this sector particularly, in the area of tomatoes processing.

Very interestingly too, there is that boost now, as the government emphasizes on the important of agriculture and the processing of agricultural products.

The sector is very attractive to every entrepreneur who is willing to front better and good brand quality, since tomatoes products are used daily, with its high repeat-sales tendency, given its long life cycle.

5. Nigerians Are Gainfully Employed

One of the economic importance of tomatoes in Nigeria, is that it help in offering Nigerians employment. There is no gainsaying that outside other sectors, like the oil sector, the agricultural sector remained the fulcrum by which the economy of Nigeria swung at.

For example, in the area of commercial tomatoes production. It has contributed a sizable percentage directly to the seventy (70%) percent employment of the Nigerians, employed in the agricultural sector.

6. Providing Food For The Nigeria’s Fast-Growing Population

The economic importance of tomatoes in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. By the virtue of the commercial tomatoes production in the country, food are being put on the table of the Nigeria’s fast-growing population.

Relatively national development has been made possible owing to the foreign exchange earnings, as the tomatoes produce are exported. This development has also reached on some other vital areas.

Besides the extension of such funds made from tomatoes production in external areas development, which of course is other sectors, the private sector also have benefited substantially as a result of the provision made by tomatoes production alone, in terms of different basic raw materials, which have been made available to various industries within.

Read Also: How to Start Vegetable Farming in Nigeria

7. Tomatoes Goes With Other Raw Materials During Processing And Packaging, Increases Their Demands

Tomatoes goes with other raw materials, while undergoing processing. When tomatoes is processed, it will go with raw materials like grease, and salt, and oil, as well as, cleaning materials, including sugar, and other organic preservatives.

And during packaging, materials used for packaging are both metal cans and cardboard cartons. Although, these raw materials used during processing and the materials used in packaging are available in Nigeria, the demand of these materials have been boosted.

Nigerian Farmers Are Trained In Tomatoes Production

Nigerian farmers, having been trained and sensitized on tomatoes production, have come to appreciate the fact that, there are different sizes, and there are different costs as well as, different production capacities of tomatoes processing plant.

This training and sensitization has offered Nigerian farmers an ample opportunity to choose whether to do the small, or the medium and, even the big size.

This however happened immediately after there is analysis of the Nigeria’s local peculiarities and perhaps also, the availability of infrastructural facilities.

Nevertheless, a plant that work  at 60 per cent utilisation capacity is always recommended. Such plant is likely to help achieve about 2,280 metric tonnes of ready-to-sell tomatoes paste if it is in commercial production that first year.

Read Also: Rate of Tomatoes Consumption in Nigeria

Conclusion

It is time therefore, for Nigeria to turn its attention to tomatoes, and consider it as a path that will help front agriculture as one of the mainstays of the Nigeria’s economy and economic diversification.

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