BREAKING: Sallah: Households Groan As Tomatoes Turn Stew Into Luxury

As Nigerians prepare for the Sallah celebration amid worsening economic hardship, the soaring prices of tomatoes and peppers are placing fresh financial pressure on households, food vendors, and traders across the country. Once regarded as basic kitchen staples, the ingredients have become increasingly expensive, forcing many families to either buy in smaller quantities or turn to cheaper alternatives to survive, AYOOLA OLASUPO report

A few days before the Sallah celebration, Mile 12 Market bustled with buyers and traders haggling over prices across crowded stalls.

Amid the noise, Rukayat Bello stood quietly, repeatedly adjusting the edge of her scarf as she counted the N1,000 notes in her purse.

“One, two, three, four…,” she murmured, staring at the tomatoes displayed in plastic bowls of various sizes.

After counting her money, she pulled out N7,000 and quietly reduced the quantity of tomatoes she intended to buy.

Bello had arrived at the market hoping to buy enough foodstuffs, including tomatoes and pepper, ahead of the forthcoming Sallah celebration. But after asking for the prices, her plans changed instantly. What once cost a few thousand naira now consumes almost half of her budget for food.

“I could not believe that just five pieces of tomatoes would cost N1,000. Before, I used to buy baskets during festive periods without thinking too much about it, but now everything is too expensive. We are just managing to cook what we can afford,” she said in an exasperated tone.

Not too long ago, tomatoes and peppers were among the cheapest items most households could afford. But today, they are bought in tiny portions, or abandoned altogether as soaring prices continue to strain household budgets.

Shift to cheaper tomatoes, pepper