Tomato prices remain high as pepper gets cheaper in Lagos

In Lagos, falling pepper prices are offering some relief to traders and shoppers, but costly tomatoes continue to hurt sales and consumers’ purchasing power. At Costain Bus Stop market, Malam Mohammed says a paint of tomatoes now costs 7,000 naira, up from 6,000 in August and September, while baskets sell for 45,000 to 65,000 naira. Rukayat Sherif says small bags of pepper have fallen from 30,000–35,000 to 20,000–25,000 naira, while baskets of Ghana tomatoes now cost 40,000–45,000 naira. Traders cite seasonal availability and transport costs; Regina Owho of Suru Market reports tomato baskets selling for about 35,000 to 50,000 naira.