Enugu residents, sellers groan over high cost of tomatoes, pepper, crayfish

Enugu residents and foodstuff sellers are expressing alarm over the steep increase in the prices of tomatoes, pepper, and crayfish. The market survey revealed significant price jumps, with a large basket of tomatoes now costing N125,000, up from N80,000 in April, and a bag of pepper rising to N75,000 from N50,000. Even smaller quantities, like a 4.5-litre bucket of tomatoes, have doubled in price to N12,000.

“

a big basket of tomatoes now goes for N125,000 as against N80,000 in the month of April.

Sellers in markets like New Akwata, Garki, and Ogbete Main Market attribute these price hikes primarily to the off-season period for these produce and escalating transportation costs. Some traders have suspended purchases or are buying in smaller quantities due to the prohibitive costs, while others, like Ufon Duke, are waiting for prices to stabilize before resuming business to avoid financial losses.

“

a bag of pepper now goes for N75,000 as against N50,000 in April.

Crayfish prices have also seen an increase, with a bag now costing N350,000 compared to N320,000 in April, and a 4.5-litre bucket selling for N13,000, up from N11,000. The situation has left consumers like Ngozi Ochi, a civil servant, struggling to afford basic food items, describing the situation as "unbearable" and making it increasingly difficult for average Nigerians to feed their families. Some residents are resorting to alternatives like dried pepper or palm fruits for their stews until prices return to affordable levels.

“

a 4.5-litre paint bucket of tomatoes is now sold for N12,000 as against N5,000 in April.