Africa
THE prices of some vegetables in markets across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have dropped significantly, while others have continued to record increased.
A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday across several markets in the FCT, showed that while the prices of some vegetables declined significantly between July and September, others recorded increases and some remained unchanged.
At Garki Model Market, dustbin basket of tomatoes is being sold for between N6,500 and N7,000, as against N8,000 to N9,000, while a dustbin basket of fresh pepper dropped to N5,000 from N7,000.
However, a dustbin basket of sweet potatoes increased from N2,500 in July to N3,000 in September, same as Irish potatoes, which increased from N6,000 to N7,000.
The prices of a dustbin basket of tatashe and shombo remained unchanged at N6,000 and N5,500 respectively, while onions remained between N5,000 for old onions and N7,000 for new onions.
At Orange Market, Mararaba, NAN observed a sharp drop in the prices of tomatoes, tatashe and shombo between July and September.
A dustbin basket of tomatoes dropped from N8,000 to N4,000, while shombo dropped from between N13,000 and N15,000 to N6,000.
Also, tatashe dropped from between N15,000 and N18,000 to N5,000; however, onions increased from N4,500 and N5,000 to N5,500.
At Madallah Market, NAN observed a sharp decline in the prices of tomatoes, pepper and tatashe compared with their prices a few weeks ago.
A big basket of tomatoes, which was sold for between N85,000 and N90,000, now sold for between N25,000 and N27,000.
Similarly, a bag of pepper, formerly sold for between N80,000 and N86,000, now sells for between N59,000 and N63,000.
The survey also revealed that a few weeks ago, tatashe was not available in the market, but it is now sold for between N42,000 and N46,000 for a 45kg bag.
At Suleja Market, NAN reports that a small paint rubber of tomatoes, which sold for between N4,500 and N6,500 some weeks ago, is now sold between N2,500 and N3,500.
A small basket of shombo, which sold for between N7,000 and N8,000, is still being sold at the same price, while a small basket of tatashe costs between N5,000 and N6,000.
A basket of pepper is being sold for between N6,500 and N7,500, as against N9,000 and N10,000 previously.
According to the survey, a dustbin basket of onion has increased from N5,000 to between N6,000 and N6,500.
At Wuse Market, NAN observed that a basket of tomatoes was being sold for between N8,000 and N10,000, compared with between N15,000 and N18,000 a few months ago.
Similarly, a basket of onions is currently being sold for between N6,000 and N7,000, as against N8,000 and N9,000 previously.
At Gwagwalada Market, the survey showed that a basket of tomatoes sold for between N13,000 and N20,000, while a small basket of fresh pepper sold for between N15,000 and N20,000.
It further showed that sweet potatoes sold for between N3,500 and N4,000 per basket, while a basket of Irish potatoes sold for between N9,000 and N12,000.
At Nyanya Market, a dustbin basket of tomatoes, formerly sold for between N8,000 and N10,000, is now sold for between N2,000 and N4,500, depending on the specie.
A basket of sweet potatoes, which formerly sold for between N6,000 and N7,000, is now sold for between N3,000 and N4,500.
The survey further showed the price of a small basket of onions had increased from between N3,000 and N3,500 to between N5,000 and N7,000.
Similarly, a big bag of onions, which formerly sold for about N65,000, is now sold for N120,000.
Saidu Musa, a vegetable trader, said the prices of some vegetables had declined, while others had increased, depending on market conditions.
“Some vegetables are now cheaper, while others have become more expensive. Prices depend largely on the market conditions.
“You cannot assume that because you bought a vegetable cheaply this week, it will remain at the same price the following week,” he said.
Another trader, Habibu Muhammad, said the market had recorded some improvement compared with previous weeks.
“Honestly, there is now some relief in the vegetable market compared with the past few weeks,” he said.
Muhammad noted that while some vegetables had become cheaper, others had increased in price.
A resident who spoke to NAN said the decline in the prices of tomatoes and pepper had helped her manage her household budget better.
“I can now afford to buy vegetables in bulk, unlike before when I had to opt for other alternatives such as tomato paste,” she said.
The resident called for sustained efforts to ensure that vegetable prices remained affordable as the prices of some vegetables had increased.
NAN reports that while some vegetable prices have declined significantly, others, including onions, have increased in some markets, showing the need for measures to keep prices stable and affordable. (NAN)(NAN)
A.I
Sept. 20, 2026
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