The prices of baskets of tomato and pepper have dropped in Lagos amid the new harvest and is expected to stabilise until the end of the year.
A check on the prices of food items showed that a big basket of tomato, which cost N150,000 a few months ago, now sells for about N55,000 to N60,000 at Ketu Market.
TheCable reports that a trader at Ketu Market also said that a crate of tomato that previously cost N55,000 is now being sold for N30,000.
According to the trader, a large basket of habanero pepper (rodo) now costs an average of N25,000, compared to N55,000 at the peak of the price surge.
“It is the season. Hausa tomatoes and peppers are already coming out,” the trader said, giving reasons for the decline.
According to another trader at Ketu Market, a small basket of tomato now costs between N20,000 and N25,000, lower than the previous price range of N30,000 to N34,000.
She also said a small sack of pepper currently sells for about N15,000 to N20,000, compared to the previous amount of N50,000.
The trader added that the prices are expected to stabilise from now until the end of August and continue into October and November, making tomatoes more affordable for Nigerians.