Kano’s Tomatoes: A Fresh Export Opportunity

 

Kano tomato farmers harvesting fresh ripe tomatoes in the field, with baskets and irrigation canals in the background. 

Nigeria is the second-largest producer of tomatoes in Africa and ranks as the 14th largest producer globally, making a significant contribution to its food security. Long before oil, Kano's agricultural power sustained its economy, and today, tomatoes are at the centre of a new wave of export-driven agribusiness.

Kano produces nearly 20% of Nigeria’s tomatoes, making it the largest tomato-producing state in the country. From Kadawa and Kura to Garun Malam and Rano, thousands of smallholder farmers cultivate tomatoes for both local consumption and growing international markets.

The challenge has always been the same: post-harvest losses, but that's also where the most significant opportunity lies.

Why Tomato Is a Valuable Crop

Tomatoes are one of the most consumed vegetables in Nigeria, with over 2.3 million metric tons produced annually.

However, Nigeria still imports tomato paste valued at over $100 million per year, mainly from China and Italy, despite local production being capable of meeting demand if properly processed. 

According to the FAO, Investments in the Tomato value chain total $ 869 million, aiming to benefit 72,000 hectares and more than 36,000 beneficiaries by supporting access to inputs and technology, the installation of processing unit plants, the establishment of multiplication centres, and R&D development.

Tomatoes are essential for:

• Food and hospitality industries

• Canning and sauce manufacturing

• Juice and puree production

• Global food exports

Globally, countries such as Ghana, Benin, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE import fresh and processed tomatoes, opening new opportunities for Nigerian agripreneurs.

Kano’s Advantage: Climate, Irrigation, and Trade Access

Kano’s success with tomatoes isn’t accidental.

Kano’s Sudan savanna climate, coupled with irrigation from the Tiga and Challawa dams, provides the perfect conditions for both rain-fed and dry-season tomato farming.

The Kadawa Irrigation Scheme, under the Hadejia, Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, enables farmers to produce tomatoes year-round, a feat few states can consistently achieve.

Kano is also strategically located near Dawanau Market, West Africa's largest grains and produce market, a natural export hub connecting northern Nigeria to the Niger Republic, Ghana, and other ECOWAS destinations.

Economics of Tomato Farming in Kano

Here’s a look at the cost and revenue profile of tomato farming per hectare in Kano:

An illustrated table showing the estimated cost and revenue profile for tomato farming per hectare in Kano State. 

Note: Efficient management of storage, processing, and transport makes tomato farming highly profitable.

Post-Harvest Losses: The Hidden Opportunity

Each year, Nigeria loses up to 40-50% of its harvested tomatoes, worth billions of naira, primarily due to inadequate handling and a lack of cold storage facilities.

Kano alone accounts for nearly 300,000 metric tons of these losses.

Yet, this loss represents a hidden opportunity, one that savvy investors are already seizing by establishing:

• Tomato processing plants for puree and paste

• Cold chain logistics and mobile cold rooms

• Solar dryers and packaging facilities

• Export warehouses with international certifications

With the right investments, what was once waste can become export-grade tomato products that earn foreign exchange.

Exporting Tomatoes from Kano: What You Need to Know

To export fresh or processed tomatoes, producers must comply with Nigerian and international standards.

Steps to follow:

1. Registering your agribusiness with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is crucial. It ensures compliance with relevant regulations and maintains your legal standing, which is essential for smooth export operations.

2. Obtain an Exporter’s Certificate from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

3. To export, you'll need a Phyto-Sanitary Certificate from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). This certificate confirms that your products meet the health and safety standards of the importing country, a key requirement for international trade.

4. Meeting the standards of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and NAFDAC is crucial. These organisations set quality requirements for products, including tomatoes, and meeting these standards is a prerequisite for export.

5. Package using ventilated crates or processed product containers.

Exporters can ship export-ready products through Apapa Port (Lagos) or Kano’s Dala Inland Dry Port, which has now begun handling agri-export shipments, thereby reducing logistics costs.

Processing: Adding Value for the Global Market

Kano’s tomato opportunity goes beyond farming. The real gold is in processing and value addition.

Factories can produce:

• Tomato puree and paste

• Dried tomato flakes or powder

• Ketchup and sauces

Facilities like the Dangote Tomato Processing Plant in Kadawa, as well as smaller private ventures, are already purchasing from local farmers, creating jobs and reducing imports.

Investors can also explore organic tomato exports, targeting European markets where demand for pesticide-free produce is growing.

Four African workers sorting and packaging ripe red tomatoes in a clean processing facility, with two cardboard boxes of tomatoes on a table, symbolising quality control, hygiene, and export readiness in Kano’s tomato industry.

Challenges Facing Tomato Farmers

While the sector is promising, some challenges persist:

• Pest attacks Tuta absoluta, tomato bug, tomato fruitworm, aphids, etc.

• Diseases such as tobacco mosaic virus, curly top, and bacterial wilt, among others.

• Poor seed varieties

• Inconsistent pricing and market gluts

• Lack of efficient cold storage and transportation

However, partnerships with research institutions like IAR Zaria and support from USAID’s Feed the Future project are helping farmers adopt resistant seed varieties and better pest management techniques.

According to BBC News, the Tomato Farmers Association of Nigeria (TFAN) claimed that it lost 2 billion naira due to insect infestation in April 2025. 

Note: Get the best seed varieties from NIHORT.

Opportunities for Youth and Entrepreneurs

Kano’s tomato value chain is ripe for youth participation, offering a range of opportunities for them to contribute and succeed.

Opportunities exist in:

• Nursery establishment and seedling sales

• Aggregation and packaging services

• Cold storage facilities

• Tomato processing and branding

• Export brokerage and logistics

With limited capital and training, young people can start from a single point in the value chain and grow as demand increases.

Red Gold for a Green Economy

Tomatoes may be common on Nigerian plates, but in Kano, they represent a red goldmine.

With favourable weather, active markets, and access to both domestic and foreign buyers, tomato farming and processing can lift thousands out of poverty while strengthening Nigeria's export base.

As cold chain systems improve and processing plants expand, Kano's tomatoes won't just feed the nation; they'll serve global tables, opening up a world of export opportunities.

Ready to explore tomato export? 

Join the National Tomato Growers Processor and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NTGPMAN) or TFAN (TFA) to connect with investors, exporters, and processors shaping Africa’s agro-export revolution.

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