By Abdullahi Lukman
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the persistent increase in tomato prices, saying the development is placing a heavy burden on both traders and consumers.
A survey conducted across major markets in Abuja revealed that the cost of tomatoes has risen sharply in recent weeks, with traders attributing the increase to seasonal scarcity, post-harvest losses, and rising transportation costs.
Speaking at Suleja Market on Sunday , a vegetable seller, Malam Isah Ado, said the price of a large basket of tomatoes had increased from between N85,000 and N90,000 a few weeks ago to between N150,000 and N170,000.
According to him, reduced supply from producing areas and the high cost of moving produce to markets have significantly affected prices.
At Garki New Market, tomato trader Philomena Bassey said consumers often assume traders are making excessive profits, whereas transportation expenses and other logistics costs are responsible for the higher market prices.
She explained that although tomatoes may be purchased at relatively low prices from farms, the cost rises considerably before the produce reaches Abuja markets.
Another trader, popularly known as Mummy Juli, described tomatoes as increasingly scarce, forcing many small-scale sellers to share baskets among more traders than before.
She noted that a small paint rubber of tomatoes, previously sold for between N4,000 and N4,500, now costs between N8,000 and N10,000.
The trader added that the price hike has compelled her to increase retail prices, making it difficult for low-income customers who typically purchase tomatoes in small quantities. As a result, she said sales have declined significantly.
Consumers also lamented the impact of the rising prices on household budgets.
Mrs Angela Ikenna, a mother of two shopping at Dutse Market, said she could no longer afford to buy tomatoes in weekly quantities and now purchases only enough for one or two days.
Similarly, Mr Moses Sunday, a nurse, said the soaring cost of tomatoes was worsening the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.
A resident of Dei-Dei, Mrs Badia Muhammad, also expressed concern, noting that the continued increase in tomato prices is affecting household feeding expenses and putting additional pressure on family budgets.
NAN
