The prices of tomatoes and other perishables in FCT markets have continued to soar in spite of the items being in its seasons, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN correspondents, who visited Dei-dei, Bwari and Gwagwalada markets in Abuja on Thursday, report that there had been slight or no reduction on the costs of the items.
At Dei-dei market, a big basket of tomatoes which was sold in January between N20,000 to N22,000, now sold for N18,000 to N19,000, while a dustbin basket of pepper, earlier sold between N3,000 to N4,000 has remained unchanged.
Similarly, in Bwari market, a big basket of tomatoes previously sold between N22,000 to N23,000 now sells between N24,000 to N25,000.
A dustbin basket of tomatoes previously sold for N3,000 now sells for N4,000 while a small paint bucket now sells for N2,500.
NAN also reports that the price of pepper had remained stable since January as a small bowl of pepper still goes between N700 to N800.
A dustbin basket of onions previously sold between N2,500 to N3,000 has reduced to N2,000 and below depending on how one bargained.
Similarly, at Gwagwalada market, NAN reports that the price of a basket of tomatoes keeps fluctuating between N35,000 to N30,000.
A trader at the market, Malam Shuaibu Aliyu, listed factors responsible for the price fluctuation to include cost of transportation, and other logistics.
Aliyu said: “Four days ago, we sold tomatoes between N22, 000 to N25, 000 but today, that same basket is sold for N18, 000.
“The variation in prices also depends on the market forces, from the chain of production to the market. The price can also increase by tomorrow or next week,’’ he said.
He also told NAN that a dustbin basket of pepper was now sold between N3,000 to N3,200, as compared to its previous price of N2,500 and N2,800.
Aliyu added that a dustbin basket of Cayenne pepper, also called ‘Shombo’, initially sold between N3,000 to N3,500, now sells between N2,300 to N2,500.
He said onions, previously sold for N2,000, now goes between N2,200 to N2,500 per dustbin basket.
Meanwhile, residents have continued to groan over the high cost of perishables, saying that previously, tomatoes were cheap to buy from December until the rains begin in March.
Mrs Hannatu Musa, a public servant in Bwari, said the cost of the items, among other essential food ingredients was becoming unaffordable and unbearable.
She said that she initially used to make large purchase of the perishables when they were cheaper and stored, but had not been able to do so because of its high price.
“In the past, I buy tomatoes in big baskets in December when they are in season and as cheap as N7, 000 or less.
“I will grind them and put in containers in my refrigerator, which I use until March.
“Now, I cannot afford a basket. I recently bought a basket with I shared with my friend for N18, 000 but it didn’t even last for me and my household for a month.
“The price of pepper is worse. It is very expensive and not peppery as it used to be,’’ she said.
Another resident, Mrs Obiageli Godswill, attributed the high prices to the Ramadan season and preparations for Easter and Sallah.
She, however, said that these items were available but expensive and their prices have not dropped as expected in the past year.
Godswill said that Nigerians would appreciate government’s policies more, especially on economic growth, when it begins to take effect on the prices of food.
“It is good that the Central Bank of Nigeria has continued to make relentless efforts toward bringing down the price of dollar and strengthen the naira, which is responsible for these price hikes.
“However, whatever they do, let the impact be felt on the cost of food in the country, that is how the people will know the government is truly working because, food is paramount.
“We must not get to the point where we cannot afford a bag of rice, tomatoes and pepper as well. This will be bad,’’ Godswill said.
NAN
