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© 2021 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Agriculture and Food Sciences Research 
Vol. 8, No. 2, 15-19 2021 

ISSN(E) 2411-6653/ ISSN(P) 2518-0193 
DOI: 10.20448/journal.512.2021.82.15.19 

© 2021 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

    
 

 
 
 
Postharvest Losses of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) in the Open Markets in 
Ibadan Metropolis 

 
Ojimi, K. O1   
Oyediran, W. O2 
Salawu, M. B3 
Abiodun, Y4 
Alaka F. A5 
Otufale, G. A6 
Ojo, O. M7 

 

 
( Corresponding Author) 

 
1,3,4Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Animal Health and Production 
Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. 
1Email:  ojimikafilatolaide@gmail.com  
2Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, 
Nigeria. 
5Department of Agricultural Education, School of Secondary Education (Voc. & Tech. Programmes), FCES, 
Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. 
6Department of Agricultural Education, Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State, Nigeria. 
7Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, 
Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. 
 

 
Abstract 

Postharvest losses of tomato pose serious threat on the economic viability of actors in the tomato 
production chain in Nigeria. Therefore, postharvest losses of tomato among marketers in Ibadan 
Metropolis of Oyo State Nigeria were investigated by the researchers. One hundred and twenty 
tomato marketers were chosen from the five food markets in Ibadan metropolis through a simple 
random sampling technique. The study adopted linear regression and descriptive statistics to 
analyze data. The outcomes of the investigation show that females were 92.5% and 88.3% were 
married. Capital is primarily raised through cooperative societies (57.5%). Postharvest losses of 

tomato accounted for 18.9% of purchase which represents ₦124,800/day. The major causes of 
PHLs are poor packaging (100%) and poor storage (100%) by the tomato marketers. Meanwhile, 
all the respondents (100%) adopted sorting to reduce PHLs of tomato. The regression analysis 
showed that education has a significant effect to reduce PHLs of tomato. The study concluded that 
huge postharvest and monetary losses of tomato are experienced by the tomato marketers. The 
study recommends provision of quality postharvest handling education to tomato marketers as a 
way of reducing PHLs of tomato in Ibadan. 

 
Keywords: Tomato, Postharvest losses, Education, Food, Marketers, Metropolis, Packaging, Sorting, Storage, Ibadan. 

 
Citation | Ojimi, K. O; Oyediran, W. O; Salawu, M. B; Abiodun, Y; 
Alaka F. A; Otufale, G. A; Ojo, O. M (2021). Postharvest Losses of 
Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) in the Open Markets in Ibadan 
Metropolis. Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 8(2): 15-19. 
History:  
Received: 12 August 2021 
Revised: 15 October 2021 
Accepted: 10 November 2021 
Published: 8 December 2021 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Acknowledgement: All authors contributed to the conception and design of 
the study. 
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 
1. Background of the Study ................................................................................................................................................................ 16 
2. Research Methods ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16 
3. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 
References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 
 

 

https://www.doi.org/10.20448/journal.512.2021.82.15.19
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4490-5736
mailto:ojimikafilatolaide@gmail.com
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2021, 8(2): 15-19 

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Contribution of this paper to the literature 
This paper contributes to the knowledge on postharvest losses because it looks at the 
dimension of tomato marketers in the city, unlike most previous studies that focus on rural 
areas. The study identified infrastructural deficit as a major setback to the proper handling of 
tomato hence, tomato PHLs are increasing while the income and profits of tomato marketers 
are seriously affected in the city. 

 
1. Background of the Study 

Agricultural losses are one of the greatest problems facing agricultural production in Nigeria. According to 
Oyediran and Omoare [1] PHLs regularly happen along the food supply chain, from the ranch door through till it 
gets on the table of the final consumer. Losses are experienced along the chain in the dealing with, capacity, 
transportation and preparing, in this way bringing about a decrease in the amount, quality and market worth of 
horticultural products [2]. The fundamental driver of PHLs incorporate mechanical harm, physiological decay and 
organic, that is, postharvest diseases and insect pests [3]. Rodents and birds additionally cause postharvest 
misfortunes in tomatoes [4]. Losses are because of unpleasant dealing with, helpless bundling and quality 
misfortunes brought about by temperature stress [5]. Additionally, the degree of misfortunes is essentially 
impacted by pre-collect conditions and field activities, for example, cultivar and soil types, crop the executives 
rehearses, helpless climate conditions, creepy crawly bug control projects and reaping just as bundling and dealing 
with rehearses [6]. Postharvest losses are predominant in fruit and vegetables among which is tomato crop. 
Postharvest losses of this crop ranges between 20 - 40% [7]. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is highly perishable 
crops with attendant high postharvest losses. The bulkiness of tomato adds to transportation inconveniences and 
storage difficulty. However, it is perhaps the most mainstream and generally developed natural product on the 
planet including Africa [8]. It is local to South America [9]. The harvest was brought into West Africa by 
Portuguese brokers and liberated slaves from West Indies [10]. Tomato is developed and eaten from one side of 
the planet to the other. It is utilized differently, remembering crude for plates of mixed greens, and prepared into 
tomato soup. It is the second most significant vegetable around the world, as far as the measure of nutrients and 
minerals it adds to the eating routine [11]. Tomato is plentiful in nutrients, minerals and lycopene [12]. It is an 
amazing cell reinforcement that assists with lessening the danger of prostate and bosom malignant growth [13]. 
In Nigerian markets, tomato is sold fresh to the consumers. Many times, marketers particularly in the northern 
Nigeria preserved this crop by sun drying and sold in bags and baskets.  In the southern Nigeria, the crop is 
usually grinded, boiled and put inside refrigerators or in jars. However, the marketing of tomato is influenced by 
various issues notwithstanding certain components of cultivating [14]. These incorporate the irregularity of 
creation, which subjects a country's creation to changes dependent on deficient water system offices. Losses 
likewise happen on the way because of significant distance to business sectors, poor and insufficient foundations, 
and the strategy for transportation of tomato [15]. It is against this foundation that this examination evaluated 
postharvest misfortunes of tomato among marketers in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State.  
 

1.1. Objective of the Examination  
The broad objective of this examination was to evaluate the postharvest losses of tomato among marketers in 

the investigation region. 
 

1.2. Explicit Goals  
The particular goals of the investigation were to;  

i. Describe the financial attributes of the respondents in the investigation region. 
ii. Estimate the worth of misfortune experienced by the tomato advertisers in the investigation region. 
iii. Identify the significant reasons for postharvest misfortune in tomato advertising in the investigation region. 
iv. Determine the financial variables impacting postharvest misfortunes of tomato in the examination region.  
v. Assess the procedures took on by tomato dealers towards lessening postharvest misfortunes in the 
investigation region.  
 

2. Research Methods  
2.1. Study Region  

The examination was done in Ibadan, a city in south western piece of Nigeria, capital of Oyo State, situated 
around 110 km (around 70 mi) upper east of Lagos. Ibadan is a significant travel point between the coast and 
regions toward the north. The number of inhabitants in Ibadan city region expanded at a development pace of 3.9% 
per annum from 1952 to 1963 when the populace rose to 1,258,625, then, at that point to 1,829,300 of every 1999 
at a development pace of 1.65% from 1963 [16]. The populace development is said to have moved step by step to 
the lesser city with a development pace of 4.7% per annum somewhere in the range of 1991 and 2006. It exists in 
the scope 7oC 19' 08" and 7o 29' 25" of the equator and longitude 3o 47' 50" and 4o 0' 22". 
 

2.2. Sampling Procedure and Sample Size 
Purposive sampling technique was used for this study. Ibadan metropolis was purposively selected because of 

predominance of tomato markets in the city. Out of 9 major tomato markets in Ibadan, five (5) were randomly selected 
which are, Shasha, Bodija, Orita Merin, Oja Oba and Oje. Twenty-four were arbitrarily chosen from each market, 
making the complete number of 120 respondents for this investigation.  
 

2.3. Measurement of Variables and Data Analysis 
The estimates of tomato losses on daily basis was calculated by the differences between the total quantity (kg) of 

tomato bought and quantity of tomato sold by the respondents, and multiplying it by the price per kg which is ₦400.00. 
The information was broke down utilizing both elucidating insights and direct relapse. 



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2.4. Respondents’ Qualities 
Age distribution in Table 1 shows that 45% of the tomato marketers were 31 to 40 years, followed by 25.83% 

that were in age category 41 to 50 years, and just 9.17% were between 51 – 60 years. The mean age was 38.44 
years which implies the tomato sellers are in their productive age. Majority of the respondents are females, with 
92.5%, while the remaining (7.5%) were male tomato sellers. Most (88.3%) of the respondents were married while 
others were single (7.5%), divorced (3.3%) and widowed (0.8%). The average household size of the respondents was 
4 - 6 members for 58.33%, 1 – 3 members for 30.83% and more than 6 members for 10.83%. Secondary occupation 
distribution reveals that 91.67% of the respondents did not engage in secondary occupation other than selling of 
tomato.  
 

Table-1. Distribution of respondents by socio-characteristics (n = 120). 

Variables Category Frequency Percentages Mean 

Age < 30 24 20.00 38.44 

 31-40 54 45.00  
 41-50 31 25.83  

 51-60 11 9.17  
Sex Male 9 7.50  
 Female 111 92.50  
Marital Status Single 9 7.50  
 Married 106 88.30  
 Divorce 4 3.30  

 Widow 1 0.80  
Religion Islam 70 58.30  
 Christianity 49 40.80  
 Traditional 1 0.80  
Household size 1-3 37 30.83 4.00 

 4-6 70 58.33  
  > 6 13 10.83  

Secondary occupation   
 Yes 10 8.3  
 No 110 91.67  

  Source: Field Survey, 2018. 

 
2.5. Sources of Credit and Accessibility by the Tomato Marketers 

As shown in Table 2, credit is marginally accessible by 45.8% of the respondents while 54.2% did not have 
access to credit. This reflects in the source of funds distribution which reveals that 57.5% of the respondents get 
credit from cooperative societies, and 30% used money accrued from their personal savings. Access to credit by 
almost sixty percent of the respondents is due to the fact that majority (73.3%) of the respondents were members of 

cooperative society. Average earning by the respondents was ₦55,575 in which 45% of the respondents earned 

between ₦30,000 to ₦40,000. Fifty percent of the respondents had spent between 6 – 10 years in the marketing of 
tomato while the average years of experience was 6.4 years.  
 

Table-2. Distribution according to Sources of credit and accessibility by the tomato marketers (n = 120). 

Credit Sources Category Frequency Percent Mean 

Credit accessibility     
 Yes 55 45.80  
 No 65 54.20  
Source of fund Cooperative society 69 57.50  
 Bank 13 10.80  
 Personal savings 36 30.00  

Membership of cooperative society     
 Yes 88 73.30  
 No 28 23.30  
Mode of earning income Daily 108 90.00  
 Weekly 7 5.80  
 Monthly 3 2.50  

Monthly earning (₦) < 30,000 14 11.67 55,575 

 30,001 – 50,000 54 45.00  
 50,001- 70,000 27 22.50  
 70,001 – 90,000 13 10.83  
 90,001 > 12 10.00  

Marketing experience (yrs.)  6.39   

 < 5 55 45.83  
 6-10 60 50.00 6.4 
 11 -15 5 4.17  

Source: Field Survey, 2018. 

 

2.6. Estimate of the Value of Loss Experienced by Tomato Marketers 
The results in Table 3 revealed that the estimated value of tomato purchased was ₦657,200.00 while the 

quantity sold was ₦532,400.00. The difference which is ₦124,800.00 represented the tomato postharvest losses in 
the study area; these losses constitute 18.9% of total quantity tomato bought. 
 
 



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Table-3. Average estimates of values of tomato losses daily basis by the marketers. 

 Tomato Quantity loss (kg) Value (₦) % 

Tomato bought 1643 657,200.00  
Tomato Sold 1331 532,400.00  
Tomato Loss 312 124,800.00 18.99 

               Note: Price per kg = ₦400.00. 
 

2.7. Significant Reasons for Postharvest Misfortunes in Tomato Marketing  
The significant reasons for misfortunes in tomato promoting are introduced in Table 4. The outcomes showed 

that poor packaging (100%) and poor storage (100%) of tomatoes are the two major causes of postharvest losses 
among tomato marketers. This implies that marketers need to be educated on how to best package and preserve 
tomato properly, as this may reduce tomato postharvest losses in the study area. It was also found that poor 
sanitation causes of postharvest losses by 99.2%. This is followed by the problem of over-ripeness (98.3%), poor 
handling (97.5%), and tomato bruises (97.5%). Results in Table 4 further revealed that 95% postharvest losses were 
caused by pathogen infestation while 91% of postharvest losses were due to bad roads during transportation of 
tomatoes from farm to market. However, 41.7% and 34.2% indicated that riot and limited alternative use of produce 
respectively were mild causes of postharvest losses.  
 

Table-4. Causes of postharvest losses in tomato marketing (n = 120). 

Major causes Frequency (%) Rank 

 Yes No  

Poor packaging 120 (100) 0 (%) 1 
Poor storage 120 (100) 0 (%) 1 
Poor sanitation 119 (99.2) 1 (0.8) 3 
Lack of processing unit 118 (98.3) 1 (0.8) 4 
Over ripeness 118 (98.3) 2 (1.7) 4 
Poor handling 177 (97.5) 3 (2.5) 6 
Bruises 177 (97.5) 3 (2.5) 6 
Pathogen infestation` 114 (95.0) 6 (5.0) 8 
Bad roads  110 (91.7) 10 (8.3) 9 
Poor pre-harvest 99 (82.5) 21 (17.5) 10 
Bad state arrival at market 90 (75.0) 30 (25.0) 11 
Malformed fruit 70 (58.3) 50 (41.7) 12 
Non removal of field heat 59 (49.2) 61 ( 50.8) 13 
Drought 55 (45.8) 64 (53.3) 14 
Riot 50 (41.7) 68 (56.7) 15 
Limited alternative use of produce 41 (34.2) 79 (65.8) 16 

Source: Field Survey, 2018. 

 

2.8. Techniques Adopted by Tomato Marketers towards Reducing Postharvest Losses 
The results indicated that proper sorting and grading (100%) is the most adopted technique by tomato 

marketers to reduce amount of tomato postharvest losses (Table 5). This suggests that proper sorting and grading 
has been an effective technique adopted by the marketers to checkmate postharvest losses in the study area.  Also, 
95%, 94.2% and 92.5% reported that proper packaging, proper handling, and transporting the tomatoes on a good 
road respectively reduce tomato postharvest losses. However, refrigerating (57.5%) and covering of tomato with 
paper (47.5%) were reported to be ineffective technique towards reducing tomato postharvest losses, and these are 
the least adopted techniques by tomato marketers. 
 

Table-5. Techniques adopted by tomato marketers to reducing losses. 

Techniques Frequency (%) Rank 

 Yes No  
Proper sorting & grading 120 (100) 0 (0.00) 1 
Proper packaging 114 (95.0) 6 (5.0) 2 
Proper handling 113 (94.2) 7 (5.8) 3 
Good transportation 111 (92.5) 9 (7.5) 4 
Purchasing unripe tomatoes 75 (62.5) 44 (36.7) 5 
Refrigerator storage 69 (57.5) 51 (42.5) 6 
Covering tomato with paper 57 (47.5) 63 (52.5) 7 

Source: Field Survey, 2018. 

 

2.9. Determination of the Factors Influencing Tomato PHLs  
Linear regression estimates of factors influencing PHLs of tomato are presented in Table 6. The R is 79.8%, 

which shows that there is high degree of correlation between the variables. The results further showed that only 
two variables in the model has a significant effect on value loss of tomato, and these are educational level and 
secondary occupation of the respondents. Though there is an inverse relationship between education level and 
value of tomato loss, that is, a unit increase in education level will reduce value of loss of tomato by 89.97%. This 
shows that education can promote best ways to package and preserve tomato and it is a very vital factor that can 
reduce the value of tomato postharvest losses in the study area. Results in Table 6 also revealed engaging in a 
secondary occupation is significantly positive to value of tomato loss at 1%. This indicates that there is a direct 
relationship between the two variables. This infers that, a unit increase in having secondary occupation will 
increase value of tomato losses by 55.86. This suggests that the more tomato marketers have a secondary 
occupation, the value losses of tomato experienced increase.  Other variables, however, are found not significant to 
the tomato postharvest losses. 



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Table-6. Factors affecting tomato misfortunes from the relapse gauges. 

Socio-economic factors Coefficient Std. Error T Sig. 

Constant 997.425 279.226 3.572 0.001 
Sex 59.977 102.274 0.586 0.559 
Age 4.971 4.119 1.207 0.230 
Educational status -89.974*** 35.27 -2.551 0.035 
Household size -47.465 39.619 -1.198 0.233 
Secondary occupation 55.86** 27.249 2.05 0.004 
Marketing experience -17.036 13.464 -1.265 0.208 
R = 79.8%;     

Note: *** 1 percent sig., ** 5 percent sig.  

 

3. Conclusion 
This examination discovered that respondents are in their dynamic age and literates. But, they experienced 

high postharvest losses with attendant huge monetary losses on daily basis which is attributed to poor packaging 
and storage. Regression results showed that educational level of the respondents has inverse relationship but 
significant to the PHLs. The study therefore recommends that quality education on postharvest handling should be 
offered to the tomato marketers in order to reduce PHLs of tomato in the study area; electricity supply should be 
stable to encourage adoption of refrigeration in the tomato marketing; and government should construct good 
roads so as to ease the movement of the marketers and reduce tomato damages. 
 

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