By NAOMI ISHAKU

Prices of vegetables have spiked in Minna markets ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, according to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The survey, conducted on Monday at Kure and Old Gwadabe markets, revealed that tomatoes, bell peppers, and hot peppers were the most affected.

Traders attributed the hike to scarcity and rising transportation costs.

A vegetable trader, Aliyu Magaji told NAN that prices had risen significantly over the past few weeks.

He said a large basket of tomatoes, which sold for N60,000 to N70,000 a month ago, now costs between N120,000 and N130,000.

A big paint bucket of tomatoes that previously sold for about N15,000 now goes for N30,000 to N35,000.

Magaji added that a small bag of hot pepper, previously priced at N42,000 to N45,000, now sells for N55,000 to N57,000.

He said a large bag of red bell peppers has jumped from about N80,000 to between N120,000 and N125,000.

The survey also found that a big bag of onions now sells for N45,000 to N50,000, up from N35,000, while a small bag costs N28,000 compared with N23,000 previously.

Another trader, Awwalu Tanimu, linked the price increase to the end of the cultivation season for the vegetables in most parts of the country, which had reduced supply to markets.

Tanimu explained that the short supply of tomatoes, red bell peppers, and hot peppers had caused a drastic hike in prices.

He also cited high transportation costs as another major factor.

A customer, A’isha Mohammed, decried the rising cost of vegetables and expressed concern that it could make cooking for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration difficult for many families.

Another shopper, Maimuna Abubakar, also lamented the price hike, noting that the pressure “is overwhelming” for many households.

“The situation is just overwhelming. I might only cook for my immediate family this Sallah because the quantity of tomatoes I bought for N4,000 just two weeks ago now costs N8,500, and they are not even readily available in the market,” she said. (NAN)

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