The drop in pepper prices has brought some relief to traders and buyers in Lagos markets, but the high cost of tomatoes continues to weigh on traders’ sales and consumers’ purchasing power.
Traders and consumers who spoke in separate interviews with journalists in Lagos described how changing prices have affected sales, household spending, and the quantities of produce they can afford.
They cited seasonal availability and transportation costs among the factors influencing the market.
Malam Mohammed, a tomato seller at Costain Bus Stop, said he sourced his produce from Mile 12 Market, where prices varied according to variety, size, and place of origin.
He said a paint of tomatoes, which sold for N6,000 in August and September, now costs N7,000, while a basket has risen from between N35,000 and N40,000 to between N45,000 and N65,000.
Mr Mohammed said the high cost of tomatoes made it difficult for traders to maximise profits, adding that some customers complained about the sizes and quantities they received for the prices paid.
Mr Mohammed also said a large bag of pepper was currently sold for between N30,000 and N40,000, although he could not recall its exact price in August and September because of fluctuations.
Rukayat Sherif, another trader at Costain Bus Stop, said she bought tomatoes and pepper from Mile 12 Market because she trusts the source.
She said a basket of Ghana tomatoes currently sells for between N40,000 and N45,000, compared with N50,000 and above in August and September.
Ms Sherif added that a paint of tomatoes now costs N7,000, against between N4,000 and N5,000 in September.
She said a small bag of pepper, which cost between N30,000 and N35,000 in August and September, now costs between N20,000 and N25,000.
Ms Sherif noted that five tomatoes are sold for N500, while pepper is also available for N500 in small rubber plates containing a generous quantity.
She attributed the price changes partly to seasonal availability and transportation costs.
Ms Sherif expressed hope that tomato prices would fall to more affordable levels, adding that lower prices would improve sales and reduce customers’ complaints.
Regina Owho, a tomato seller at Suru Market, Suru-Alaba, said large baskets of tomatoes are currently sold for about N50,000, while smaller baskets cost between N35,000 and N45,000.
Ms Owho recalled that a basket was sold for about N40,000 in August and September, although prices fluctuated during that period.
Mary Chigozie, a resident of Vaughan Street, Costain, said she spends between N2,000 and N5,000 daily on tomatoes and pepper but has reduced the quantities used in cooking because of the high cost of tomatoes.
She said small quantities of tomatoes that previously sold for N200 or N300 now cost N500 or N1,000.
On pepper, Rukayat Rasheeb, a trader at Olaogun Street, Abule-Nla Junction, Costain, said a bag is currently sold for between N45,000 and N60,000, the same price range recorded in August and September.
She, however, observed that pepper is now more plentiful than during the earlier period. Ms Rasheeb explained that prices generally declined when pepper was in season and increased when it became scarce.
Okoro Ebubechi, who also sells pepper at Olaogun Street, Abule-Nla Junction, said he currently buys a small basket for N20,000, compared with between N30,000 and N40,000 in September.
He attributed the reduction to increased availability during the current season, adding that transportation expenses influenced the prices charged by traders.
Odunayo Igwe, a pepper trader at Ilogbo Mosque, Apapa Road, said a bag is currently sold for N30,000, the same price recorded in September.
She explained that although the price has remained unchanged, pepper is now more plentiful than in September, when supplies were lower.
Ms Igwe also identified transportation costs as a factor affecting selling prices and expressed hope that prices would decline further.
Patience Niju, a pepper seller at Suru Market, Suru-Alaba, said she currently buys a small bag for N25,000 and a larger bag for N40,000.
She added that a small bag of shombo costs N20,000, while a larger one costs N30,000.
Ms Niju said the prices were unchanged from August and September, but the bags contained more pepper in October.
Teni David, a civil servant residing in Iyana Ipaja, said N200 to N500 can now buy more pepper than in August and September, when the same quantity cost between N1,000 and N1,500.
Ms David attributed the seasonal glut partly to limited preservation facilities, explaining that large quantities of pepper entered the market as the produce ripened, prompting traders to sell quickly before it lost its freshness.
Mary Udonwa, another pepper consumer, said the produce had become more affordable, allowing households to buy larger quantities.
She said she currently spends between N500 and N1,500 on pepper, depending on her needs.
(NAN)
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