Lagos residents groan over rising tomato prices, seek alternatives

Some residents in Lagos State have expressed concern over the recent surge in the price of tomatoes, forcing many households to adopt alternatives.

A 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells between N115,000 and N125,000, compared to between N35,000 and N40,000 recorded last month.

Speaking on Wednesday, a resident of Ago Palace, Olachi Igwe, said the scarcity and high cost of tomatoes had disrupted her household’s meal plans.

Igwe said: “I contacted my usual vendor, but she said tomatoes were scarce and difficult to source.

“A small bowl we used to buy for between N3,500 and N4,000 now sells for as high as N6,000 to N7,000, when available.

“For now, my family will resort to palm nut stew until prices stabilise.”

Another resident of FESTAC, Mercy Okeleye, said although her family prefers fresh tomatoes, rising prices have forced her to consider cheaper options.

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Okeleye said: “I cannot do without fresh tomatoes because of the taste, but I may have to buy broken ones, popularly called ‘esha’, which are relatively cheaper.

“I do not consider tomato paste a suitable substitute because it is not purely made from tomatoes.”

Also speaking, Tope Babalola from Dopemu, said she might adjust her cooking methods if prices remain high.

Dopemu stated: “I have not bought tomatoes in over a month, but if the price is still high, I will use more onions and peppers.

“I will not resort to artificial additives; I prefer natural ingredients for my meals.”

A civil servant living in Lekki, Oge Ugwu, said she would resort to cucumber stew with the recent price hike.