NAN
Minna: Vegetable prices have surged in Minna markets ahead of Eid-el-Kabir, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey shows.
Furthermore, the survey conducted on Monday at the Kure and Old Gwadabe markets revealed that tomatoes, bell peppers, and hot peppers were the most affected.
Traders, commenting on the survey, attributed the hike to scarcity and rising transportation costs.
A vegetable trader, Aliyu Magaji, told NAN that prices had risen significantly over the past few weeks.
He said a large tomato basket, which once sold for N60,000–N70,000 last month, now sells for N120,000–N130,000.
A paint bucket of tomatoes, formerly N15,000, now costs N30,000–N35,000.
Magaji noted a small bag of hot pepper rose from N42,000–N45,000 to N55,000–N57,000.
A large red bell pepper bag jumped from N80,000 to N120,000–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, up from N23,000 previously.
Additionally, trader Awwalu Tanimu attributed the price increase to the end of the vegetable cultivation season in most regions, which reduced market supply.
Tanimu explained that the short supply of tomatoes, red bell peppers, and hot peppers had led to a drastic price hike.
He also blamed high transport costs.
A customer, A’isha Mohammed, decried the rising cost of vegetables and expressed concern that the rising prices could make cooking for the Eid al-Kabir celebration difficult for many families.
Another shopper, Maimuna Abubakar, noted the price increase and stated that the situation creates challenges for many households.
“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.
