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The price of a basket of tomatoes has dropped significantly due to new harvests, traders in few markets in the country told newsmen about the sharp decrease in price of the commodity.
A trader at Ketu market in Lagos mentioned that a large basket of tomatoes is now selling for about N55,000 to N60,000, down from an average of N150,000 a few months ago.
Additionally, a crate of tomatoes that previously cost N55,000 is now being sold for N30,000. A large basket of habanero pepper (rodo) is currently selling for around N25,000, compared to N55,000 during the peak of the price surge.
The trader attributed this decline to the season, with Hausa tomatoes and peppers becoming available.
Another trader in Ketu market noted that a small basket of tomatoes now costs between N20,000 and N25,000, lower than the previous range of N30,000 to N34,000. A small sack of pepper, which previously cost N50,000, is now selling for about N15,000 to N20,000.
Traders at Berger market also in Lagos noted that a large basket of tomatoes has dropped in price from between N150,000 and N200,000 to about N50,000 to N60,000. A crate of tomatoes has decreased from N35,000 to N15,000. In the same market, the largest sack of habanero pepper now sells for N19,500, down from between N200,000 and N230,000.
The price of a medium sack has fallen from N130,000 to N17,500. A big bowl (called rubber) of cayenne pepper (bawa) now costs between N8,000 and N9,000, significantly lower than the previous price of N28,000.
A trader explained that the price reductions are due to the season and the availability of petrol for transporting tomatoes.
In Dutse market, Abuja, a trader named Muhammed said a basket of tomatoes now sells for N8,000, down from the previous price of N13,000 to N15,000. Consumers can now buy red bell pepper (tatashe) for N7,500, compared to the earlier price of N12,000. The price of habanero pepper has decreased to N9,000 from between N13,000 and N15,000, and cayenne pepper is now N8,000, compared to the earlier price of N12,000.
Muhammed attributed the price drop to the seasonal availability of the items and noted that prices can change unexpectedly. Another trader, Musa, said there is now enough supply in the market, unlike before when there was scarcity.