Mr. Vincent Egbe, Managing Director, GB Foods, has called on the Federal Government to ensure effective implementation of the National Tomato Policy to enhance the development of the tomato ecosystem and support its competitiveness.
Egbe made the call during a three-day industrial tour by the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, on Wednesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Tomato Policy (2022–2026) is designed to cut down on post-harvest losses.
It will also curb imports of tomato concentrates through an increased import tariff from five percent to 50 percent and an additional $1,500 levy per metric ton.
The GB Foods Managing Director said that Nigeria had a shortfall in tomato supply in spite of being the 13th largest producer of tomatoes in the world.
He said that, to be fully self-sufficient, Nigeria should be producing a total of 10 to 12 million metric tons of tomatoes annually.
Egbe said the company would continue to embrace innovations targeted at celebrating local tomato flavors.
He, however, noted some shortfalls that had plagued the tomato industry, such as low production levels, poor infrastructure, weak market linkage, and poor access to finance.
He emphasized the need to address the sector’s key challenges and secure essential support for its progress.
This, he said, could be achieved by stopping disruptions from regulatory authorities, providing incentives and fiscal support for local manufacturers, and providing infrastructure support.
“One hundred percent of everything done in Nigeria is manufactured in Nigeria with 55 percent local sourcing of Nigerian ingredients.
“We would continue to invest to feed the consuming population, seeing that the government is looking to grow the production base of manufacturing.
“We would continue to key into the agenda of government to accelerate contributions to the country’s economy,” he said.
Egbe also revealed the company’s plan to establish Nigeria as an industrial hub for West African markets with ongoing tomato distribution and logistics investments and tomato processing expansion.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to sustainability by fostering right nutrition, preserving environmental balance, and investing in local communities’ prosperity.
“We see Nigeria as the future driver of a prosperous Africa, and so we are investing here at a rate of 7:3, i.e., seven here in Nigeria and 3 in other parts of Africa.
“What we are doing in Nigeria is consistent with who we are, and we would continue investing in tomatoes backward integration to develop the tomatoes ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said.
Responding, the minister said that the company occupied a critical space in the food industry.
He said that while Nigeria might be passing through a phase, it still had opportunities.
Enoh assured that the federal government would continue to support local manufacturers and made-in-Nigeria goods. (NAN)
