Anambra traders blame flooding for tomato shortage, price hike

Anambra State traders say the sharp increase in tomato prices across major markets in the State resulted from a decline in supply caused by persistent rainfall and flooding in key tomato-producing areas of the country.

A BusinessDay survey conducted at Eke-Awka Market, Ose Main Market, Onitsha and Nkpor Main Markets showed that the price of a basket of tomatoes had increased from between N65,000 and N70,000 to between N100,000 and N150,000, depending on size and quality.

Ngozi Ekeh, a tomato wholesaler at Eke-Awka Market, said that persistent rainfall in Jos and Makurdi, major tomato-producing areas of the country, had negatively impacted farming activities and reduced output.

She stressed that flooding along key transportation corridors had further disrupted the distribution of tomatoes to markets across the country, worsening the supply shortage.

Ifeanyi Okafor, another tomato wholesaler, said traders were struggling to maintain supplies due to irregular deliveries from the North.

“Before now, trucks arrived almost every week with large quantities of tomatoes. These days, we receive fewer supplies and sometimes wait longer for deliveries.

“The scarcity has pushed up prices significantly. What we sold for N70,000 a few months ago now sells for over N140,000,” he said.

Chidi Nduka, who also deals in tomatoes, said transportation costs had also increased because many roads linking producing areas to the South-East had been affected by flooding.

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“The cost of moving goods has gone up and this ultimately affects market prices. Traders are not making excessive profits; we are simply adjusting to the realities of supply and transportation challenges,” he said.

At Ose Main Market, Mma Akuchukwu described the situation as one of the most severe supply shortages experienced this year.

She said, “Customers complain every day about the prices, but we explain that the problem started from the farms.

”The rains damaged many farms and reduced harvests.

“Some customers who usually buy in baskets now purchase half baskets or smaller quantities because of the high cost.”

Also speaking, Sunday Iwuh, a retailer at the market, said consumers had become more cautious in their spending.

“People now buy only what they need for immediate cooking. Many families are substituting tomatoes with tatashe and pepper to reduce costs,” he said.

At Nkpor Main Market in Idemili South Local Government Area of the State, traders said the situation had affected both sales volume and consumer purchasing power.

Betty Ekeka, popularly known as Mama Chidera, said the scarcity had compelled many households to seek alternatives.

“The good thing is that pepper, onions and tatashe are still available. These items have helped many families prepare meals despite the high cost of tomatoes,” she said.

She advised residents to supplement fresh tomatoes with pepper, tatashe and tomato paste pending the restoration of normal supply levels.

Another trader, Peter Anyika, expressed optimism that the situation would improve in the coming months.

“We expect supply to improve when rainfall reduces and farmers begin harvesting from irrigated farms.

“Once more tomatoes enter the market, prices should gradually come down,” he said.