A small basket of tomato, which sold for N25,000 in May, is now going for N800 in Kaduna. And, no, it is not a joke.
It had been all anger and pain for households as the price of tomatoes hit the roof across the country as a result of scarcity caused by tuta absoluta, also known as ‘tomatoc ebola’.
This affected the crop in most parts of the north-west, notably Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina and Kano states.
As a result, the basket prices jumped from the range of N800-N1200 to between N25,000 and N40,000 at the height of the crisis.
At the Line Dogo (Rail Line) tomatoes and vegetable market in Kaduna on Saturday, it was a beehive of activities.
Buyers could not believe their eyes as tomato prices had crashed to a two-month low.
Abass Mai Tumatur, chairman of the tomato sellers, told TheCable it was a “pleasant relief” for everyone as tomato is now available and in large quantities.
Mai Tumatur: Things are getting better
“Tomato scarcity is nothing new, but it was made worse this year by the invasion of the moth,” he said.
He said the insects mutate more during the dry season but don’t survive during the rainy season.
“The rains coupled with the efforts of government have helped tremendously in making tomato available,” he said, praising the government for the “timely intervention”.
He assured the public that the fear is gone now “and hopefully for good”.
Farmers were left stranded and helpless as the moth ravaged their farms and left destruction across the farming community, making a pot of soup as expensive as gold.
Hotels and restaurants, in particular, faced a nightmare as the crisis also shot up the price of canned tomato paste.
Many were not aware of the reasons for the scarcity as frantic efforts were made to to address the situation.
Nasir el-Rufai, the Kaduna state governor, declared a state of emergency and dispatched officials to Kenya to find ways of tackling the ravaging insects.
The cost of the destruction in the state, according to el-Rufai, was close to N1 billion.
Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture and rural development, also commissioned experts to find solutions to the disease outbreak “as soon as possible”.
The insect originated from South America around 1912 and has spread to other parts of the world.
Reports suggest the insect came to Africa through Republic of Niger.
– TheCable
U0001f482
Uncle why u dey lie like this!
Is a lieU0001f602U0001f602
3000 not 8000
That is next life to come if there is any
Really? Thank God
Where do u c rice,nobody is buying it.
He is really right,tomatoes price crashed,u can now buy online @konga,olx,jiji,kaymu and PaybestU0001f602
For more fake news and lies,send APC to 419
I pray oo
Jamie Rose check this guy out in his Villa shirt selling cheap tomatoes
It got to be G.M.O…lol
Is a liar o scan
Not only tomato both fuel from #145 to #25 per litres, Buhari brother
Think he plays centre mid for us U0001f602U0001f602
I literally laughed out loud U0001f602U0001f602
Story for d cows
What’s funny? Why must you laugh cus he wears a football club jersey? As am typing this, am wearing a Chelsea football club jersey. So, shut up and stop laughing cause things ain’t funny here. People ain’t smiling. Don’t let Nigerians unleashed their anger on both of you on social media. You are old enough, so respect yourself. Ok? good
good news but still expensive thou. lol
am getting tied of this tomato news our problem is more than tomato both fuel and other food stuffs like rice APC News mteeew
What’s funny is my mate here is a Villa fan and your mate in the picture is wearing the club shirt of the team my mate supports. Wouldn’t you find it funny if my mate was wearing an AS Adema shirt whilst selling tomatoes on a British seaside somewhere with the rain belting down and seagulls flying around trying to steal his chips?
Na lie is #2.500 in deide abj MKT as at today
Story for the cows
make i break, if I hear. In your dreams
U won take laugh finish me
u go chop only tomato naaaa!!as unaa 2 dey lie lie, a derica cup of rice is till 250, ,bag 18k,,shebi naa wu get rice dey use tomato aby u wan lick stew or u wan du tomato juice drink,,,mad people
No preservation facility to help preserve these tomato before they go bad due to over production
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And make them reduce the feel too oooo
So what’s good about it then
Madam take am easy now! U dey vex ooo
I meant “bros”
Uncle you can lie ooooooo
Uncle you can lie ooooooo
He never reach my area ooh
Please can we order online
Nigeria’s be careful because this tomorrow is poisonous
If you look at the picture very well you can see that their was no buyer that why them bring the price down the apc govt own Nigeria many apology hunger every where
KUKUMA USE THE STEW CHOP EBA NAU…U0001f602U0001f602U0001f602
AS TOMATO DON FALL, AND RICE STILL AT #1800, MAKE UNA KUKUMA DEY USE STEW CHOP EBA. U0001f602U0001f602U0001f602
Scam!!! Na u sabi o! Dis strategy is not gonna pay u…change ur style
Fake news mitcheeew
Hahahahaha… Send APC to 419
am a Farmer dnt rejoice yet d rains wud soon be over