Vegetable prices have surged sharply in Minna markets ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, a market survey has revealed.
The survey, conducted on Monday at Kure and Old Gwadabe markets, showed that tomatoes, bell peppers and hot peppers were the most affected. Traders attributed the hike to product scarcity and rising transportation costs.
Aluyu Magaji, a vegetable trader, said prices had risen significantly over the past few weeks. According to him, a large basket of tomatoes that sold for N60,000 to N70,000 a month ago now costs between N120,000 and N130,000.
A large paint bucket of tomatoes, previously priced at about N15,000, now sells for N30,000 to N35,000. Mr Magaji added that a small bag of hot pepper, which formerly went for N42,000 to N45,000, now costs between N55,000 and N57,000.
He further noted that a large bag of red bell peppers has jumped from approximately N80,000 to between N120,000 and N125,000.
The survey also found that a big bag of onions now sells for N45,000 to N50,000, up from N35,000, while a small bag costs N28,000 compared with N23,000 previously.
Another trader, Awwalu Tanimu, linked the price increase to the end of the cultivation season for these vegetables in most parts of the country, which has reduced market supply. He explained that the short supply of tomatoes, red bell peppers and hot peppers has caused a drastic hike in prices. He also cited high transportation costs as another major factor.
A customer, A’isha Mohammed, decried the rising cost of vegetables and expressed concern that it could make cooking for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration difficult for many families.
Another shopper, Maimuna Abubakar, also lamented the price hike, noting that the pressure on households was overwhelming.
“The situation is just overwhelming. I might only cook for my immediate family this Sallah because the quantity of tomatoes I bought for N4,000 just two weeks ago now costs N8,500, and they are not even readily available in the market,” she said.