Entrepreneur Links Soaring Tomato, Pepper Prices in Nigeria to Supply Shortages, Insecurity, Infestations
Chairman of Mile 12 International Market in Lagos, Shehu Jibrin, has attributed the drastic increase in the prices of tomatoes and peppers in Nigeria to a combination of factors including insufficient supply, insecurity, and infestation.
The National Bureau of Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index and Inflation report documented a sharp increase in food inflation, underscoring the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Earlier statements from the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, and the Tomatoes Growers Association of Nigeria echoed similar concerns about the impact of tomato Ebola on the scarcity and subsequent price hikes of tomatoes.
Meanwhile, Jibrin emphasized that unless the government addresses the issue of insecurity, the persistently high prices of these commodities will persist.
He noted that during the current off-season, tomatoes are expected to arrive from areas like Ilaro, Ogbomosho, Abeokuta, Osun, and parts of Cameroon to meet demand in Lagos. However, delays from Cameroon and local areas coupled with insufficient production have exacerbated the supply shortfall.
The chairman pointed out that the tomato Ebola disease has severely affected local production in places like the North, where many farmers are unable to tend to their crops due to insecurity, with some residing in internally displaced camps.
He stressed that the situation necessitates urgent action to restore farmers’ confidence and enable them to return to their fields..
