Lagos: Some Lagos residents have lamented the high cost of tomatoes across the country, opting for alternatives to the produce.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the residents expressed their concerns in interviews, explaining how the soaring prices of tomatoes have forced them to seek other options that align with the current economic conditions.
A resident from the Amuwo area, Mrs. Olachi Iroha, mentioned that she now uses palm kernel as a substitute for tomatoes in her stews due to the escalating prices. She noted that the cost of a small paint bucket of tomatoes had recently risen to N8,000, prompting her to consider halting the purchase of tomatoes altogether if the trend continues. Mrs. Iroha shared that she might resort to making palm kernel stew, locally known as ‘ofe akwu’, if tomatoes become unaffordable.
Similarly, Mrs. Temitope Babalola-Hodonu from the Alimosho area expressed her hope for a reduction in tomato prices. She lamented that she had to pay N50,000 for a mini basket of tomatoes, a significant increase from the N15,000 or N18,000 she usually paid weeks prior. The scarcity of tomatoes in the market has also added to her challenges, leading her to make quick purchases whenever possible.
A food seller, known as Iya Adetoun, operating in the Dopemu area, highlighted the strain that high tomato prices have placed on the food catering business. She reported that a small bucket of tomatoes, previously priced at N6,000 or N7,000, had surged to N35,000 over the weekend. She expressed concern over the sustainability of her business if prices remain exorbitant.
Mrs. Anne Odafe, residing in the Ago Palace Way area, revealed that she supplements the limited tomatoes she can afford with tin tomatoes to meet her family’s needs. She remarked on the insufficiency of tomatoes priced at N4,000 for adequate stew preparation, leading some people to blend cucumbers with tomatoes to extend the quantity. Mrs. Odafe resorts to using more tin tomatoes than usual to satisfy her family’s consumption.
Another consumer, Mrs. Ifeoma Okoye, has turned to using cucumbers, spring onions, and cabbage in her stew as alternatives. She expressed her frustration over the high tomato prices, which are exacerbating the financial constraints faced by many households. Mrs. Okoye eagerly anticipates a price drop, lamenting that no substitute can match the taste of traditional tomato stew.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a 50kg quantity of tomatoes is selling for as much as N50,000 in the northern regions, while in Lagos, the same quantity has been priced between N85,000 and N100,000 from late June to the present.