Avellon Williams
NIGERIA- A significant increase in the price of tomatoes and peppers in major markets across Lagos State may soon make economic hardships unbearable for average Nigerians.
The price of a moderate basket of tomatoes has increased from N20,000 to between N90,000 and N100,000. In the same way, a small basket of peppers known as “Rodo,” which used to sell for between N12,000 and N15,000, now sells for between N40,000 and N45,000, depending on their freshness.
The price surge was confirmed by market women in the Egbeda area of Alimosho. According to Ronke Saliu, one of the vendors at the Bammeke bus stop in Shasha, the price increase also applies to another type of pepper known as “Bawa,” which has skyrocketed to N55,000 from its former price range of N15,000 to N20,000.
As a result of the devaluation of the Naira, many sellers have suspended sales of these commodities.
In the past, Mrs. Saliu could buy two baskets of tomatoes and one basket of pepper with N50,000, but now she can only afford one basket of tomatoes. Oguntade and Bammeke markets conducted market surveys that revealed that sellers displayed four small pieces of tomatoes for N200, and five larger ones for N500.
A large part of the scarcity and the rising price of tomatoes and peppers can be attributed to complaints from marketers, especially from northern parts of the country, about pests invading their farms. According to Malam Aliyu, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, other farm produce such as carrots and beans have also been affected by pests.
To prevent further damage to farm crops, Aliyu called on the federal government to assist farmers by offering soft loans to purchase the necessary chemicals.
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