Some traders and residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised concerns over the sharp increase in the prices of tomatoes, pepper, and other perishable food items, describing the situation as increasingly difficult for households and small businesses.
Findings from interviews conducted in Abuja show that many seasonal food items, including tomatoes, peppers, and fruits, have become less affordable even during expected harvest periods, with prices continuing to climb in recent weeks. The situation, according to respondents, worsened further ahead of the Sallah celebrations due to higher demand and rising transportation costs.
A tomato and pepper seller at Gwagwalada Market, Idris Adamu, said the economic situation has had a widespread impact on food prices and market activities. He explained that tomato prices, in particular, have remained unstable since March.
He noted that between March and May, a large basket of tomatoes sold for between ₦60,000 and ₦100,000, compared to about ₦20,000 to ₦35,000 in February. He added that many traders were struggling with low stock levels as supply became irregular.
According to him, some traders are also cautious about buying in bulk, fearing that customers may not be able to afford the increased prices, which also affects sales of smaller quantities.
He appealed for government support in agriculture and transportation to help stabilize food supply and reduce price volatility.
Another trader, Maryam Salawu, said she had stopped purchasing tomatoes and pepper for resale because the prices were too high for her capital. She explained that she preferred to wait for a possible drop in prices rather than risk losses, as many customers were already reducing their purchases.
She attributed the situation to festive demand and the broader economic pressures affecting the country.
A civil servant and mother of three, Firdausi Bello, described the price hike as overwhelming, saying it had become harder for families to meet basic food needs. She said even small quantities of tomatoes had become unaffordable for many households.
She noted that a small bucket of tomatoes now sells for about ₦6,500 to ₦7,000, compared to around ₦2,500 a few days earlier, adding that she had resorted to using dried alternatives due to cost constraints. She called on authorities to urgently address the hardship facing citizens.
In Karu and Nyanya areas, similar price increases were recorded, with a large basket of tomatoes reportedly selling between ₦65,000 and ₦80,000. Traders said this was a significant jump from previous rates.
A trader, Joy Aromeh, said the same basket earlier sold for between ₦13,000 and ₦20,000. She also noted that a bag of okra had risen from about ₦8,000–₦10,000 to between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000.
She explained that the business had become less profitable as customers increasingly complained about affordability, forcing many to shift to dried alternatives while fresh produce often went unsold.
Aromeh urged the government to take steps to reduce fuel costs in order to ease transportation expenses that contribute to rising food prices.
Another trader, Abdul Isiaku, said the price of a small bag of tatashe had jumped from about ₦10,000–₦15,000 to between ₦70,000 and ₦85,000, making it difficult for him to purchase alone. He said traders now pool resources to buy and share stock.
He also linked the increase largely to high transportation costs and called for urgent intervention to address fuel-related expenses.
Reports also show that a bag of onions now sells between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000, up from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 previously.
Similarly, a basket of cayenne pepper (shombo) currently goes for about ₦12,000 to ₦13,500, compared to earlier prices of ₦7,000 to ₦9,000.