Nigerians Turn to Cucumber, Cayenne Pepper as Tomato Prices Bite.
As the cost of tomatoes continues to rise sharply in Nigeria, many Nigerians are turning to alternative vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, and cayenne pepper to cope with the escalating prices of this essential ingredient in Nigerian cuisine.
Tomato Price Surge:
- In recent months, the price of fresh tomatoes has increased by over 120 percent. A big basket of tomatoes now costs about N110,000 at Lagos’s Mile 12 market, compared to N40,000 to N50,000 a few months ago.
- This price hike is driven by several factors, including seasonal changes and logistics costs, which are exacerbated by high fuel prices and middlemen levies.
Alternative Ingredients:
- Cucumber and Cayenne Pepper: Nigerians are discovering new ways to prepare their staple dishes without tomatoes. For instance, Folake Aturamu, a mother of four, now uses cayenne pepper (locally known as ‘shombo’ or ‘tatashe’) and tomato paste to achieve the desired thickness for her stews.
- Cucumber: Oluchi Duru, a mother of two, has started using cucumber in her stews. She mixes tomato paste, tatashe pepper, and cucumber to create a satisfactory tomato substitute.
- Carrots: Elizabeth Onuoha, a businesswoman from Aba, combines carrots with cayenne and red bell peppers to make stews and jollof rice, achieving a taste close to that of tomato-based dishes.
Consumer Experiences:
- Many consumers like Aturamu and Duru have successfully integrated these alternatives into their cooking routines. They note that these substitutes not only help save costs but also maintain the quality and taste of their meals.
- Social media platforms are abuzz with Nigerians sharing their experiences and recipes using these alternative ingredients. For instance, Sapphire Odufuwa shared her family’s new staple of cucumber sauce made with onions, tatashe, and yellow pepper, which has become a popular replacement for tomato sauce.
Industry Insight:
- Experts attribute the price surge to the seasonality of tomatoes, which do not thrive during the rainy season. Sani Danladi, the national chairman of the Association of Tomato Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria, confirmed that prices are expected to decline once the dry season begins, as tomatoes grow better during that period.
In the meantime, Nigerians continue to adapt and innovate in their kitchens, finding cost-effective alternatives to cope with the high tomato prices while waiting for market conditions to improve.
-
Share News with us via WhatsApp:08163658925 or Email: naijaeyes1@gmail.com
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
