The Canned Tomato Paste Market in Nigeria

Nigeria’s Tomato Cultivation and Industry Overview

Nigeria enjoys uniquely favorable climate and soil conditions for tomato cultivation, ranking as the 13th largest tomato producer in the world and the 2nd largest in Africa. The country produces approximately 1.8 million tons of tomatoes annually, accounting for 1.2% of global output and 10.79% of Africa’s total. However, domestic demand reaches 2.3 million tons per year, resulting in a significant supply gap.

The main tomato-growing regions are located in the northern states, including Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and others. Due to limited irrigation infrastructure, farmers rely entirely on seasonal rainfall, which restricts harvesting to just once a year. Furthermore, nearly half of the harvested tomatoes are lost during storage, transportation, or distribution—mainly due to inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, inefficient logistics, and fragmented sales channels.

Tomato Paste Demand: 900,000 Tons Per Year

With a population of over 220 million, Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing markets for canned tomato paste. Tomatoes are a staple in Nigerian cuisine, commonly used in popular dishes such as jollof rice, stews, soups, and sauces. Despite favorable growing conditions, the country relies heavily on imported processed tomato products—especially canned tomato paste—to meet consumer demand.

Standard Tomato Paste Can Sizes in the Market

The most commonly used canned tomato paste sizes in Nigeria include:

70g easy-open cans

210g easy-open cans

2200g cans (available with traditional or easy-open lids)

Market Dynamics of Canned Tomato Paste in Nigeria

Chinese-manufactured tomato paste dominates the West African market, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Togo, and Ghana. Tianjin, China, has become a major production hub, with numerous tomato processing factories.

However, the market is currently facing two key challenges:

Price-driven competition: The market is overcrowded, leading to intense price wars. Some manufacturers have compromised on quality in an attempt to offer lower prices than their competitors.

Low purchasing power: Premium, higher-priced tomato paste products struggle to gain market share, as consumers prioritize affordability over quality.

Optimal Timing for Sourcing Tomato Paste Raw Materials

China’s major tomato-growing regions, such as Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, experienced a bumper harvest in 2024, resulting in an abundant supply of high-quality raw materials with strong lycopene content. However, the oversupply has driven prices down, forcing many producers to sell at a loss.

As the 2025 season approaches, prices are expected to fall even further between March and May, as manufacturers work to clear excess inventory. For canned tomato paste producers, this three-month window (March–May 2024) presents an ideal opportunity to purchase cost-effective, high-quality raw materials—helping to lower production costs and build strategic stockpiles.