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Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers - Business - Nairaland

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Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 6:50am On May 09, 2016
Hey Nairalanders,

As usual i have always enjoyed sharing my business soujourn all through out the years. And as several people here who know me, i do not believe in running a permanent business all through, i beling to the warren Buffet Business school of thought which believes that your business ideas and moves should be adaptable  to CHANGE.


Today am here to share my story on my quest for Gold. With much detailing to trial and error and success.

My story will be shared in the following line-up.


- The Idea
- The .....

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by izikjon(m): 6:52am On May 09, 2016
Our experience. Live and ongoing.



Ymodulus & izikjon

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 6:53am On May 09, 2016
[size=14pt]THE IDEA[/size]

Ater several thought of going into a new business which

Half way  into the month of April, i have been reading wide and far ( i read the papers daily), and i noticed that that the product TOMATOES has been on the High Side due to scarcity

- Even celebrities r complaining:
 https://www.nairaland.com/3090036/waje-bemoans-high-cost-tomatoes
- Lagosians complaining: https://www.nairaland.com/3091570/lagosians-groan-prices-tomatoes-skyrocket#45398311



 This is in Contrast to early Febraury this year when the price of tomatoes was as low as N300 / Baskets due to a Glut in the market. You can read here for more Information as to that date ( https://www.nairaland.com/2939685/tomato-glut-hits-katsina-markets ).

Having taken note of this development, i headed my way for the popular Mile12 -Ketu Market in Lagos state.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by AleAirHub(m): 6:58am On May 09, 2016
Boss him self cool cool cool .

I don take my 1st sit cheesy cheesy cheesy

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 6:58am On May 09, 2016
[size=15pt]The Market Research[/size]

Having been in the Yam business in time past, coming into the mile12 market wasnt new to me or running around the market.

I got to the market on 27th of April 2016, then went straight to the tomatoes section, looking for some hausa sellers.

I met a man who linked me up to a major tomatoes delale ( Delale is an hausa term for dealer ). I met the Delale and began asking him questions about the business. At first he was hesitant  been that my dress and looks was not in tandem with that of most marketers. I had to go native, speaking the Hausa language. i told him  that am interested in bringing tomatoes to the market to sell and if he can sell for me. He told me he can and took me round the market to show/ teach me the nitty gritty  of the tomatoes business.


Note: Some may ask why i had to meet the Hausa sellers and not any other tribe  like yoruba been the dominant tribe there. From my research, and having been a Yam Dealer in time past of up to 10,000 tubers in a day. I noticed that the Mile12 markets operates a Cartel Like system of Government. You cant just beat the Hausa Cabals of sellers. Also for you to survive in a new business you have to go with the HONEST party. The Hausas are very much more loyal in business/ open in business dealing than any other tribe.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by akp202(m): 7:04am On May 09, 2016
Following... .

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Dexpro: 7:17am On May 09, 2016
akp202:
Following... .
Me too.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by bigx(m): 7:21am On May 09, 2016


The Hausas are very much more loyal in business/ open in business dealing than any other tribe.
SPOT ON

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Taeewo(m): 7:36am On May 09, 2016
ffg
Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 7:36am On May 09, 2016
[size=14pt]Soujourn[/size]

Having made all research necessary, i called a fellow friend of mine and i told him of my findings and asked him to make his research down south in warri before coming back to lagos. I also informed him of my desire to travel up north in other to buy these tomatoes.


My Initial Market Survey Summary, based on Mile12 Market.

These were my findings-


1. SEVERAL KIND OF TOMATOES BASKET -
- Hausa basket ( used in zaria , kano and katsina )
- Jos Basket
- cameroon basket

2. TOMATOES MARKET IN NIGERIA: I found out that there are 4 major producing states for tomatoes in Nigeria-
a. Kaduna: Zaria
b. Kano:
c. Katsina: Funtua, Birin
d. Jos: Barkin Ladi, Anpam West, Mougu, keran
e. Bauchi: Til De Fulani, Maga-Man Gumo
f. Gombe: Dadin kowa

3. PRICING: i will try all my best to lump pricing on a subtopic  on its own. Due to the changes  in price, and all. also i will add it to my story as we go on




My Travel Soujourn and Experience.

I wont want to bore you with unnecessary stories so i will be brief, i will be sharing how we travelled from states to states in search for tomatoes.

Day1: LAGOS - JOS
We travelled to abuja via flight around 3pm and then board a sienna vehicle to Jos. Getting close to Jos around 10pm we were attacked by thieves close to the Jos Science High school Road., lucky enough our driver was fast to manuever and had go back. we go to jos around 12 Midnight.  we slept at jos to the next day


Day2: JOS SOJOURN.
-we visited the Farin-Gada market in to buy tomatoes. On getting there we were dissapointed there was nothing. The sellers attributed it to lack of tomatoes. We decided to meet the "Sarkin Kasuwa". I wont lie you Alhaji was to blunt to us ( Ymodulus and IzikJon ). He told us we wont get due to scarcity and that the few available are been sold to loyal customers. i got discouraged and stopped speaking to him.

-We then left and went down to mungo. we heard we can get from that area. we visited mungo, anpam west. we got nothing. we went all were we were advised too go. we literally slept among Fulanis even when we knew of the current fulani herdsmen fight. we spent 2 nights down in the bush. This is to tell you how deep into the bush we went.

.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Brainaic(m): 8:00am On May 09, 2016
Following!
Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by aAK1(m): 8:08am On May 09, 2016
following

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Nobody: 8:12am On May 09, 2016
I am interested please..

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by titomtc(f): 8:19am On May 09, 2016
Following keenly!
Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Aminat508(f): 8:20am On May 09, 2016
Following sad

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by ariyebaba(m): 8:25am On May 09, 2016
@ Ymodulus, you are doing a great job.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by bigbabyboy: 8:26am On May 09, 2016
Very much interested

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Moz22: 8:45am On May 09, 2016
Addent follower
Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 8:48am On May 09, 2016
Day3: Bauchi State / Jos.
- We woke up safely without been hurt by any herdsmen. They are lovely people. We drank live Cow Milk . i touched  cows easily and we all talked. We gave the fulanis N10,000 as a token of appreciation and then bidded them fairwell. They even saw us off through the bush down till we got a vehicle.

- We took a vehicle and headed straight to Bauchi to a town calles  Til De Fulani. This we did all to no success. In the town we were advice to go to another called Maga-Mungo Man. We went from Maga - MungoMon Village  to Gada to Angwari. All to no success.

- Same day we went to Borno State cause we heard we will be able to get in large quantity there. All these was to no success.

- Right in Borno State roughly about 30mins. We got to hear from another "Tomatoes Delale" in Lagos Mile12. That we can get tomatoes in Republic of  Cameroon. We asked him if he was sure, he confirmed to us that he was. He further added that 400basket of tomatoes came in from cameroon.

- This weekend us. my friend IzikJon said he couldnt continue on the trip. I told him not to worry. We both went back to Jos had a nice bath and went out to relax ourselves at Resort. All with the intention of travelling to Republic of Cameroon the Next Day.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by mrsage(m): 8:54am On May 09, 2016
Following

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 8:55am On May 09, 2016
Day 4: JOS - BAYELSA
Based on the information we got from the two tomatoes Dealer we have in lagos. They informed us that to go into the republic of cameroon we have to go through Bayelsa.

- We boarded a sienna through Plateau Riders to Abuja. We paid him extra to take us to the Airport at Lugbe.

- From Abuja we flew to Portharcout, and then board a bus to Bayelsa. This was the shortest route as bayelsa had no Airport. On getting to Bayelsa town i was troubled i recalled that bayelsa had no bordering town to cameroon. Thanks to my Google Map.

- We immediately  called our Tomatoes  Dealers in lagos and informed them of developments. My Major Dealer then told me a driver came down from Cameroon now with Tomatoes. We collected the driver's  number and we asked him questions about getting there. We then found out that we have to go through Cross River Calabar via a local  government call Ikom.

-We then went back to Portharcout. On getting to Portharcout we heard from a passerby that Ph- Calabar  is a 7Hour Journey by Road, As there was no direct flight that day to Calabar. This we were not ready for. If you use to travelling by flight you will understand.

-On checking the various Airline websites, We flew back to Abuja then board another plane same day to AKWA-IBOM UYO. We did this as the direct flight to calabar that day left already. We also heard that UYO to Calabar is roughly an Hour Journey.

-We got to Uyo and then took a vehicle to Calabar. We booked an hotel slept over till next day.

Day5: Calabar - Ikom. To Cameroon.

-We Checked out the hotel at calabar around 6:20am morning and headed to a park Called Ayade or Ayare Park ( Cant recall exact spelling but the park/pronunciation  is owned by the Current State Governor of Calabar. So we heard).

- We got to Ikom Local Government. And then made several Enquiries about heading ro cameroon. We got to hear that we cant get into cameroon without running  several  papers or bribing our way through. We decided to follow the latter. As it was the most Viable at that time.

-When we got in. We made research about where tomatoes can be obtained. We heard several Places, which we declined and headed to an area Filled with Hausas. we mingled spoke and interact in Hausa with them and they directed us.

- We made necessary  findings, till we were set to start..

We were so happy because the tomatoes we saw at Cameroon was as so described.- In Hausa " Jajaye Kaman Jini" :- As Red As Blood, Big and succulent. Have a view below


Special ShoutOut to Josites*. We enjoyed our Relaxation at the Tuscany and Resort Centre.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by darkenkach(m): 8:55am On May 09, 2016
God bless this dude.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by olabs201(m): 9:18am On May 09, 2016
Following.....
Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by mployer(m): 9:25am On May 09, 2016
Interesting..

Sounds more like an adventure...Hope you recover all theses expenses when the business finally starts.

Ability to speak Hausa is an added advantage to you, Just the way I mingle with the Igbo boys in Alaba and Idumota.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 9:27am On May 09, 2016
We were so happy because the tomatoes we saw at Cameroon was as so described.- In Hausa " Jajaye Kaman Jini" :- As Red As Blood, Big and succulent. Have a view below


Here are some pictures..


We saw 5Alive. we were sooo happy. I couldnt risk drinking some rubbish cameroon pissy drinks.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 9:34am On May 09, 2016
More pictures to come soon.


The picture of reciepts are union and state clearance pictures in ikom. And all..

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 9:36am On May 09, 2016
mployer:
Interesting..

Sounds more like an adventure...Hope you recover all theses expenses when the business finally starts.

Ability to speak Hausa is an added advantage to you, Just the way I mingle with the Igbo boys in Alaba and Idumota.

hehe! our expenses so far including transport and hotel bills and gifting to fulanis and local farmers is N306.780 as at today.

This is no issue as our profit will cater for it.

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by stelaar(m): 9:40am On May 09, 2016
Bros!!! Blood dey hot!!! No Time!!!

Abeg Kontinu!!! angry grin

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 9:42am On May 09, 2016
[size=14pt]Success[/size]

Every Business idea needs three things to run succesfully- Idea, Funds and Courage

1. IDEA: I had the idea, i saw the need for tomatoes, i saw a vacuum, i then searched for s solution.

2. FUNDS
Having a business  Idea is 1 Thing, having capital to run all your idea is another.
a. Ymodulus- I did the business self sponsored. Though added Close Friend's money. I personly bought a total of 6,556 Baskets of Tomatoes. These were mine.
b. IzikJon:  got 700Baskets of Tomatoes.

3. COURAGE:
Several people have funds but dont have the courage to try. It wasnt new to me. I didnt get to where i was without risking. i have lost and gain. Its Life.

4. PROFIT:
I Ymodulus personally love to risk all in business so i can rise fast. I always love to set a high target that can make me better than my mate. I had a mindset to hit a total profit of 10Million in a 2-4day frame. Hehe.

IzikJon wamted just any profit above N1Million.

*Making necessary calculations. It cost us N9,993.7 to get a Cameroon Basket of Tomatoes to Lagos. And this Basket goes as high as  13,000 - N14,000 in lagos. However we asked our Tomatoes Dealer to sell all the tomatoes at a flate fee rste of N12,000.

5. LANGUAGE
I hate to say this. But if i must say. Please learn one of the Major Languages. If you plan doing International Business. Its a big Plus. In our case we spoke Hausa to an Hausa Man who them translates to French and one funny Language Cameroon Tomatoes producing area speaks.  We settled our Hausa Interpreter N25,000 and bought him a new Gionee M5 Mini.

6. HONESTY
Some things can not be bought. In Mile12 Market our Dealers do sell and send money back to us without we been present. Hehe.

7. LOCATIONS
Our Decision of sensing our tomatoes to several locations ( Isoko Marker Warri- Delta State , OilMil Market Portharcout Rivers State, Abbdjdikw Aba Abia State ). Was a big boost to us. We ruled the market.

8. FRATERNIZATION
We became friends with most top boss from Head of Customs to Immigratiom to Head of Union Markets. We bought drinks for those who needed drinks, cigarettes for those who needed cigarettes. All in a bid to get what we want. Yesterday we successfully became close to the Head Military officer here.


i wont want to upload some pictures. For privacy sake

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by MizMyColi(f): 9:47am On May 09, 2016
Ymodulus:
We were so happy because the tomatoes we saw at Cameroon was as so described.- In Hausa " Jajaye Kaman Jini" :- As Red As Blood, Big and succulent. Have a view below


Here are some pictures..


We saw 5Alive. we were sooo happy. I couldnt risk drinking some rubbish cameroon pissy drinks.

Please don't let Jadekitana see you upload pictures of your meal.
You will be declared broke by her standardsgrin

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by Ymodulus: 9:52am On May 09, 2016
MizMyColi:


Please don't let Jadekitana see you upload pictures of your meal.
You will be declared broke by her standardsgrin
hehe. grin grin .

She should help the boy

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Re: Tomatoes The New Gold In Town: Nairalanders Becomes Tomato Importers by izikjon(m): 9:55am On May 09, 2016
MizMyColi:


Please don't let Jadekitana see you upload pictures of your meal.
You will be declared broke by her standardsgrin


grin grin

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