In Lagos and Abuja, the onset of the new harvest season has led to a noticeable decrease in the prices of tomatoes and peppers. Markets such as Ketu and Berger in Lagos have reported reductions, with large baskets of tomatoes now ranging from N55,000 to N60,000, down from a high of N150,000. This shift is attributed to the influx of produce from the northern regions, particularly Hausa tomatoes and peppers.
At Ketu market, a crate of tomatoes has decreased to N30,000 from N55,000, while habanero peppers have dropped to an average of N25,000 from N55,000. Similarly, Berger market has seen large baskets of tomatoes decrease to N50,000 to N60,000 from N150,000 to N200,000. The reduction extends to other varieties, with the largest sack of habanero pepper now at N19,500, down from N200,000 to N230,000.
Traders attribute these price changes to the seasonal availability of produce and improved petrol availability, easing transportation issues. In Abuja, at Dutse market, tomatoes and peppers have also seen price reductions. A basket of tomatoes is now N8,000, down from N13,000 to N15,000, and red bell peppers are at N7,500, down from N12,000.
Despite these fluctuations, the market remains subject to the cyclical nature of harvests, with traders adjusting prices based on supply and demand dynamics. The recent surge in tomato prices had been a concern, following the impact of the tomato leaf miner, *Tuta absoluta*, which previously led to a supply shortage. However, the current increase in supply has begun to stabilize prices.
[ N 100 = €0.07 ]
Source: thesun.ng