Yuletide: Prices of livestock, tomatoes, others drop in Lagos markets

Prices of tomato and other vegetables have dropped considerably in major markets in Lagos on Monday, one week to Christmas, a  survey has revealed.

 The survey was conducted at Mile 12 and Oyingbo markets.  A 40kg basket of tomato, which cost between N11,000 and N12,000 in November, cost between N8,000 and N10,000 on Monday, depending on bargaining power.

Also, a jute bag of onions dropped from N32,000 to N30,000, while a 50kg basket of bell pepper (Tatashe) and chilli pepper (shombo) both cost N6,000.

 Vice chairman, Tomato Sellers Association, Oyingbo market,Mazu Umaru, attributed the drop in prices to the produce being in season.

Umaru said  being perishable items, customers had not started purchasing for fear of rot, putting market activities at a usual pace.

He, however, enjoined a follow up few days to the Christmas celebration, saying that was the best time to get the true position of things.

“People are still relaxed as it is. But few days to Christmas, if you check back, you will easily tell that the difference is clear and we are up to the task with supplying the needs.

“More so, tomatoes, pepper and the rest are in season so the yield is okay and the prices reasonable.’’

Also, a decrease of N1,000 and N2,000 were recorded in the sales of palm and groundnut oil respectively.

Twenty-five litres of groundnut oil sold for N13,000 while 25 litres of palm oil cost N11,000 against N15,000 and N12,000 recorded last month.

An oil seller, who simply referred to herself as Iya Shina, could not state any reason for the reduction, saying that they sold based on whatever price they got it. (NAN)

Leave a Reply