Nigerians groan under weight of tomato prices

Tomatoes have become more expensive in Lagos in recent weeks, putting many Nigerian households under increasing pressure amid mounting economic headwinds.

“I used N6,500 worth of tomatoes to cook a pot of soup – the same quantity I used to get for N2,000,” Temitayo Fadahunsi, a public servant in Lagos, said.

“In March, I bought a medium-sized basket of tomatoes for N4,000; last weekend the same quantity was sold for N19,000-N24,000 at Ile-Epo market,” the mother of one added.

BusinessDay findings show that a big basket of tomatoes is sold for between N36,000 and N38,000 in Mile 12 Market, Lagos, as against N10,000 in April this year.

The price of a medium-sized basket of tomatoes has risen to N19,000-N23,000 from around N4,500 in April.

The surge in the prices of fresh fruits this year started much earlier in May after Tuta Absoluta invaded farms in major tomato-growing areas in the country.

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Tomatoes in Nigeria are grown in the dry season (December-April). The rainy season, May to September, is not conducive for growing tomatoes, as rainwater destroys the tomato crop, according to experts.

A tomato trader in Ajah market who buys from Mile 12 also confirmed that the price of this staple has been on an increase since May.

It was gathered that the high cost of transportation is also a major factor responsible for the surge in tomato prices.

“Some food sellers buy esha (almost rotten tomatoes) because they are cheaper and mix it with dry pepper and tomato paste since they can’t afford the fresh ones,” a tomato trader at Obalende market said.

In September, the headline inflation rate increased to 26.72 percent, with the food inflation rate at 30.64 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

“Unsurprisingly, food prices increased on the underlying factors such as the pass-through effect of elevated Premium Motor Spirit prices on food prices, higher input costs, and conflicts in the Northern region of the country remain intact,” analysts at Cordros Securities said.

Eniola Olatunji

Eniola Olatunji is an experienced journalist at BusinessDay, where she has specialized in reporting on personal and business finance since March 2022. She focuses on creating engaging and precise news stories, with a keen emphasis on the fixed-income market, banking, personal finance, cost of living, and the Nigerian economy. Her work also encompasses extensive market research and economic trend analysis. Eniola is passionate about empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions and is dedicated to shedding light on the intricate workings of the economy. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure & Applied Chemistry from the University of Lagos. Eniola Olatunji was shortlisted for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Journalism..