Nigerian-based agro-processing company, Tomato Jos, has launched the first wholly made in Nigeria Tomato Mix. The tomato paste, packaged in a 65gm sachet, is the first consumer product from the company’s multi-billion Naira factory based in Kaduna, in the Northern part of Nigeria.
The company raised EUR 3.9 million in its Series A funding round in 2020 to boost its transition to the processing and distribution of tomato products. The company has focused on securing its supply chain through primary production since its inception in 2014.
Founded by Mira Mehta, the company has vision to create and retain local value-add to the tomato value chain, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the lives of smallholder farmers.
Commenting at a recent event to unveil the Tomato Jos sachet variant, the Managing Director of the company, Mira Mehta, said:
“It is a dream come true. Though entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs, I feel encouraged whenever I see my passion for this business ignite in one of my colleagues. I am incredibly proud of the Tomato Jos team for their hard work and belief that we could achieve something on this scale. The facility is the only one of its kind in Nigeria that can produce sachet tomato products directly from fresh tomatoes. The product is currently available throughout Kaduna State, and we intend to expand to more states by the end of 2022. Our company’s theme for 2021 was ‘Let’s Do This!’ and, well, we did it! The future looks bright for Tomato Jos. We will continue to grow until we become a household name across Nigeria”.
Being Nigeria’s largest active tomato farm, it has produced 7 billion tomatoes, with yield 7x above national yield average. It also has a 3.5tons/hr state-of-the-art tomato paste processing plant located at Kangimi, Kaduna State.
Tomato Jos has 50 full-time employees, 20 additional local security staff members patrolling the fields and 350 partner farmers who receive support and education to increase their crop yields for supply to the company.
The company transforms smallholder farmers from subsistence growers to successful commercial producers by empowering them to focus on year-round crop cultivation of tomatoes, maize, soya, wheat, and other crops. The products are offtake from the partner farmers and processed into value-added consumer packaged goods for the Nigerian and West African markets.
The company plans to raise an additional $10 million in debt and equity to fund further growth and expand its reach across the country.
