Nigeria's soaring tomato prices leave housewives, caterers crying foul

Soaring tomato prices are causing distress for Nigerian housewives and caterers, significantly affecting meal quality and contributing to rising food inflation. Farmers, meanwhile, point to the withdrawal of industrial buyers and the closure of major tomato processing companies as key factors driving losses and market instability.

“

Tomatoes have virtually disappeared from my weekly menu. Usually, I buy a paint of tomatoes for N3,500, but recently I got a paint for N15,000. We now use vegetables, carrot and cabbage sauce and even palm kernel stew. The last vegetable sauce I made was as black as the back of a pot because I used very little tomato.

The situation has led to a dramatic increase in prices. A survey in Lagos's Mile 12 International Market revealed that tomato prices have more than doubled within three weeks. A large basket of Jos tomatoes, which sold for N60,000 to N70,000 in May, now commands between N120,000 and N150,000. A single crate has surged from approximately N25,000 to N70,000.

Consumers are lamenting the change. "Tomatoes have virtually disappeared from my weekly menu," said Mrs. Susan, a housewife. "Usually, I buy a paint of tomatoes for N3,500, but recently I got a paint for N15,000." She now resorts to vegetable-based sauces and even palm kernel stew, noting her last vegetable sauce was "as black as the back of a pot" due to the minimal tomato content.

“

I bought a basket equivalent to three paint containers for N40,000. Many people prefer this type because of its plumpness and colour. Tomatoes are gold in the market now.

Retailers are also feeling the pinch. Madam Jerome, a foodstuff retailer, noted that consumers now purchase tomatoes out of necessity. She described tomatoes as "gold in the market now." Another buyer, Blessing, expressed a preference for northern tomatoes due to their higher paste yield, a quality lacking in cheaper, water-rich varieties now flooding the market. Caterers report that the price surge has severely reduced their profits, with one caterer, Mrs. Princess, recounting significant losses.

“

Arewa are not farming well due to rainfall and drought on the farm.