“Tomato Ebola” outbreak wipes out over ₦1.3bn in farmer losses, sparks food inflation crisis

The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigerian farmers have incurred over ₦1.3 billion in losses following a devastating outbreak of Tuta absoluta—the invasive tomato pest popularly known as “Tomato Ebola”—in three major tomato-producing states.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a four-day capacity-building workshop for financial institutions. The event was jointly organised by HortiNigeria and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc.

According to Kyari, the pest outbreak has ravaged tomato farms in Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna States, triggering a steep increase in the price of tomatoes across the country. The cost of a 50kg basket of tomatoes has skyrocketed from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000, and in some cases, has reached ₦30,000.

“The outbreak of Tomato Ebola highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s horticultural systems. This invasive pest can decimate tomato fields within 48 hours, leading to catastrophic yield losses,” Kyari said.

Rising Prices Deepen Cost-of-Living Crisis

Kyari noted that the outbreak has exacerbated food inflation and placed further strain on already stretched household incomes. Tomatoes and peppers—staples in nearly every Nigerian kitchen—have become unaffordable for many families.

“When prices of these essential ingredients spike, it triggers a ripple effect that impacts meal costs in homes, restaurants, and food vending businesses,” he explained.

Referencing the 2024 National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) food price data, Kyari revealed that tomatoes led the food price index with a staggering 320% year-on-year increase, followed by peppers and other produce.

Urgent Action Needed for Horticultural Resilience

In response, the minister called for swift, coordinated interventions, including integrated pest management, investment in disease-resistant crop varieties, and enhanced support systems for smallholder farmers.

Kyari also described Nigeria’s horticulture sector as a “sleeping giant” capable of driving rural development, employment, nutrition, and trade growth if properly harnessed.

“Horticulture is far more than a sub-sector of agriculture—it is a dynamic engine for rural transformation. With rising urbanisation and growing demand for fresh produce, the sector is strategically positioned to meet consumer needs,” he said.

A Sector Ripe for Investment

The minister outlined the many advantages of horticulture, which includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and ornamental plants. He highlighted its potential for:

• Higher revenue per hectare compared to staple crops
• Multiple harvest cycles per year
• Year-round employment, particularly for women and youth
• Strong linkages to processing, packaging, retail, and export markets
• Climate resilience through modern farming and irrigation systems
• Improved food access via peri-urban farming and efficient distribution

Kyari urged financial institutions to direct sustainable, structured funding into horticulture to unlock its transformative power and help secure Nigeria’s long-term food future.

“Crops like tomatoes, pineapples, cucumbers, citrus, and plantains have enormous domestic demand and are emerging as key commercial crops. The time to invest in this sector is now,” he said.