African Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences 1 (5-6): 87-92, 2009 ISSN 2079-2034 © IDOSI Publications, 2009 Corresponding Author: I.B. Adeoye, National Horticultural Research Institute, P.M.B 5432, Idi-Ishin, Ibadan 87 Economic Analysis of Tomato Losses in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria I.B. Adeoye, O.M.O. Odeleye, S.O. Babalola and S.O. Afolayan National Horticultural Research Institute, P.M.B 5432, Idi-Ishin, Ibadan Abstract: The study examined economic loss analysis involving four varieties of tomato namely: UC82B, Roma, VT563/JM94/47 and Ibadan local in Ibadan, Oyo State. A random sampling technique was used to collect information on traders= characteristics, types of post harvest loss, intensity of damages and marketing margin accrued from the losses. The data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics, simple margin analysis and t-test. The results showed that more men were involved in wholesaling of tomato while more women were involved in retailing of tomato. Most of the respondents have been in the business for more than 10 years. The major causes of economic losses to tomatoes were physiological, pathological and mechanical damages. In the UC82B variety, pathological damage constituted the greater percentage (44%) of losses; while the greatest cause of damage in Roma and VT563/JM94/47 was physiological and was put at 44% and 36% respectively. Ibadan local suffered the highest kind of damage traced to mechanical factors to the tune of 39%. . There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean percentage damage of UC82B compared to the three other tomatoes varieties (P<0.05), while there was no significant (p>0.05) difference between mean percentage damage of VT563/JM94/47 and Ibadan local varieties. Based on the losses in the marketing margin, there was reduction of 34% in marketing margin of UC82B, Roma 85%, VT563/JM94/47 94% and Ibadan local 79% at the retail level. Provision of improved mode of transportation and storage, is thereby recommended to minimize losses in tomatoes. Key words: Economic losses %Tomatoes %Marketing %Post harvest damages %Oyo state INTRODUCTION root crops are much less hardy, quickly perishable except Estimates of production losses in developing transportation. Post harvest loss is much more painful and countries are hard to evaluate. Postharvest losses of costlier than pre harvest loss both in terms of money and fruit and vegetables in some African countries has been man-hours [4]. Due to absence of proper storage and estimated to reach 50% [1]. Both qualitative and marketing facilities, farmers are forced to sell their quantitative losses occur in horticultural commodities produces at throw away prices [5]. Losses are caused by between harvest and consumption [2], hence minimizing mechanical injuries, inadequate storage, unsuitable post harvest losses of already produced food is more handling, faulty system of transport and delayed sustainable than increasing production [2]. transportation in the retail market [6]. Post harvest losses Post harvest losses include the rotting of produce which decrease returns of fruits and vegetables occur and damage during storage, packaging and transportation mainly because of lack of infrastructure, poor handling which leads to consumer rejection [2]. Most losses and and marketing knowhow [7]. The magnitude of losses wastes occur in the latter part of the food chain through depend on the nature of the commodities, the condition of excessive processing, packaging and marketing [1]. Post the produce at the time of collection, distance travelled harvest loss can be defined as a measurable quantitative and the nature of the road network. The principal causes and qualitative loss of a given product at any moment of losses are Physiological deterioration, Mechanical along the post harvest chain [3]. Fruits, vegetables and damage and pathological damage [2]. under intensive care during harvesting, handling and