One would have expected that prices of fresh tomatoes and pepper would decline after the Easter celebrations but the situation appeared to be otherwise , as visits to some markets revealed that prices of the produce sky-rocketed the more owing to gradual onset of its season of scarcity.
Many of the traders said that prior to the Easter celebrations prices of the produce had started witnessing slight increase but became more conspicuous due to increased demand.
Findings from a market survey across some states by the Business and Market Intelligence Unit of DAILY INDEPENDENT, showed that prices of the produce soared by over 15 percent from April 18 to April 25,2019.
At the Tella Market, Taraba state, prices of a big basket of fresh tomatoes that went for between N3,500 and N4,000, rose from N3,000 sold previous week, signifying a 16 percent increase.
The prices of fresh pepper bag also shoot up between the region of N6,500 and N7,000against the N5,000 mark it was initially sold .
Mallam Garba Qudus, who sells the produce at the Tella Market, Taraba, state, connected the hike to the commencement of its season of scarcity.
The same could be said for that of Achau Market Kaduna, as well as Dawanau Market Kano.
A visit to Achau Market, Kaduna, revealed that prices of a basket of fresh tomatoes sold for N4,000 last week increased to N5,000 while that of fresh pepper also went up, attracting N8,000 as against N6,500 previously sold.
Prices of fresh tomatoes and pepper at the Achau Market, Kaduna, appeared to be quite lower than that of Dawanau Market, Kano, especially with the prices of a big basket of fresh tomatoes at the Dawanau Market, Kano,currently selling being sold between N13,000 and N13,500 , up from N11,500 initial price . The cost of fresh pepper remained unchanged at between N10,000 and N10,500, depending on the negotiating power of the buyer.
Traders at the Achau Market, Kaduna, in a chat with DAILY INDEPENDENT, attributed the trend to inadequate supply occasioned by off-season effect.
In Ogbeogologo and Igbudu markets, Delta State, prices of the produce increased further after the Easter celebrations due to insufficient supply from the North.
For instance, prices of a basket of fresh tomatoes at the Ogbeogologo Market, Asaba, that were sold for N9,000 previous week grew, selling within the region of N10,500 and N11,500 depending on the size of the basket and haggling power of the customer.
At Igbudu Market, Delta state, the pricessoared between N12,500 and N13,000 from N12,000 previously sold.
The prices of fresh pepper in both markets currently goes for between N9,000 and N10,000 against between N6,500 and N7,000formerly sold.
The trend was the same for Nkwo, Nnewi Market, Anambra state, as prices of a basket that were previously sold for between N11,000 and N12,000 rose to 13,000, signifying a 15 percent rise.
A bag of fresh pepper which was sold for N10,000 last week has changed margin to N11,000, a development, which many of the traders linked to shortfall in supply usually associated with the season of lack.
At the Oba Market, Benin City, prices of a basket of fresh tomatoes also rose sharply, currently ranging from N10,000 to N11,000 as against N7,000 formerly sold while that of fresh pepper increased slightly to N8,000 from N7,500 sold in the previous week.
Madam Bose Abudullahi, a fresh tomatoes seller, connected the hike to limited supply from its major sources and high cost of logistics.
At Lafenwa Market, Ogun State, prices of the produce were at an upward trend despite the fact that the Easter celebrations are over.
For example, prices of a basket of fresh tomatoes previously ranging from N6,000 to N7,000 currently goes for between N8,000 and N9,000 while that of fresh pepper increased to N11,000 from N10,500 sold last week.
Many of the traders at the Lafenwa Market, Ogun State, in a chat with DAILY INDEPENDENT associated the rise to seasonal factors.
A visit to the Bodija Market, Ibadan, during the week, revealed that prices of the produce have worsened owing to inadequate supply from the North coupled with the fact that, that of neighbouring countries such as Ghana and Cameroun were yet to flood the market or harvested.
For example, prices of a basket of fresh tomatoes increased to between N6,000 and N7,000 from between N5,000 and N5,500 sold last week. That of a bag of fresh pepper also soared to between N11,000 and N12,000 from N10,000 sold during the Easter celebrations.
In Lagos, the situation was not different either, as a visit to popular Mile 12 Market, showed that prices of a basket fresh tomatoes and pepper which skyrocketed slightly during the Easter celebrations increased further within the review week.
For instance, prices of a big basket of fresh tomatoes that attracted between N5,500 and N6,000 in the previous week soared further after the Easter celebrations to between N7,000 and N8,000, of which many of the traders attributed to inadequate supply due to the gradual arrival of its season of scarcity.
The prices of bag of fresh pepper of freshcurrently goes for between N12,000 and N13,000 as against N11,000 previously sold by most of the traders.
Mr. Busari Halimi of Mile 12 Market, Lagos, said he was not astonished at the turn of event since harvesting period for the produce is over.
For that of onions, prices were at a sliding trend from what they were previously sold, a development which many of the traders connected to season of abundance.
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