Prices of fresh tomatoes up by 1,000%

The prices of tomatoes have gone up by 1,000 per cent in Jos and environs in Plateau, a market survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has shown.

Our correspondents, who visited some of the markets and other selling points on Thursday, found out that the commodity had gone beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.

At the Terminus Market in Jos, a small basket of the commodity, which used to be N350, was selling for N3,500.

NAN also found that a big basket of the commodity, which sold for N1,000 about two months ago, now costs N10,000.

NAN reports that prospective small buyers seeking N150 worth of the commodity, were turned back by the retailers, who said that they did not have any quantity for that little amount.

Speaking to NAN, one of the retailers of the commodity, Mrs. Nanret Abimu, said, "Honestly, I do not know one specific reason why the price is this high’’.

"The price changes every day. One day a basket is N5,000. The next day, you are told it is N10,000. It is a very tough situation,’’ she told NAN.

Investigation by NAN showed that the price increase was caused by seasonal changes, especially at the onset of the rains.

"Tomato is generally a dry season vegetable.

"When heavy rains start, the vegetable gets rotten on the farms, which generally affects supply.

"It means that many retailers or wholesalers could go directly to the farms but will not get much and may be forced to purchase at outrageous prices out of desperation.

"When that happens, the effect is on the buyer and the eventual consumer, which is what we have now,'' she said.

Some consumers, who spoke with NAN on the situation, said that they had left out stew "for now'', in their daily menu.

A housewife, Mrs Nenkwat Joseph, said that she had tried to improvise by using pepper to spice up some dishes.

Another consumer, Miss Mishrap Aro, told NAN that she envisaged the rise in the price and prepared for it by buying in large quantities when the price was good.

"I bought tomatoes a long time; I cut each piece into two, dried it up and fetch it for use now anytime I need it.

"Normally, I soaked the dried tomatoes inside water and grind it; once that is done, it comes back as fresh tomatoes,'' she told NAN.

Also speaking to NAN, a student, Micheal Ali said that he had resorted to tin or sachet tomato instead of the fresh variant.