A small basket of tomatoes, which sold for N25,000 in May, now sells for N800 in Kaduna. This is the report making round right now on the internet!
The price of tomatoes had hit the roof across the country as a result of scarcity caused by ‘Tuta Absoluta’, a pest also known as “tomato ebola”.
This affected the crop in most parts of the North-west – Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina and Kano States. This equally affected all other states of the federation.
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.
Reports say buyers could not believe their eyes, as tomato prices had crashed to a two-month low.
Consumers have however expressed pleasant relief at the new development.
The insect originated from South America around 1912 and has spread to other parts of the world.
Reports suggest the insects came to Africa through Republic of Niger.
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