The steep increase in fresh tomato prices has forced many Nigerian households to seek affordable substitutes for their beloved tomato stew, a staple accompaniment to rice, one of the nation’s most widely consumed foods.
Rice holds a special place in Nigerian cuisine, with dishes like jollof rice reigning as the national favorite. However, rice paired with tomato stew remains a close contender. The escalating cost of fresh tomatoes, a critical ingredient for both meals, has compelled families to innovate and adapt their cooking habits.
Skyrocketing Tomato Prices
Fresh tomatoes now sell at exorbitant rates in Nigerian markets, with prices reaching as high as ₦1,000 for just three or four medium-sized fruits. Residents report spending upwards of ₦2,500 for a small batch of tomatoes, making them unaffordable for many. Reports from key markets, such as Lagos’ Mile 12 International Market, highlight even steeper costs, with premium-quality baskets ranging between ₦140,000 and ₦150,000, up from ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 just a month prior. Lower-quality tomatoes have also seen similar price surges.
Creative Alternatives Emerge
Faced with these challenges, households are turning to creative culinary solutions. For instance, some now favor pepper-based stews made with varieties like tatashe and shombo, combined with onions, as a flavorful alternative. Others are revisiting traditional recipes or experimenting with vegetable sauces, garden egg sauces, and egg stews to pair with rice.
An Abuja resident shared how they’ve replaced tomatoes entirely with peppers and onions, praising the result as even tastier. Another individual, Mrs. Ngozi Osahor, blends shombo peppers with onions and slow-cooks it with meat for a rich, satisfying stew. Similarly, traders like Mrs. Odion Edokpayi from Edo State are opting for vegetable-based sauces using spinach, ugu (pumpkin leaves), and other greens. She notes that while vegetables are also expensive, they remain more affordable than tomatoes.
Other families are exploring non-traditional options like Banga soup, which, at ₦1,200 for a measure of fresh palm fruits, offers a cost-effective alternative for feeding a family. Some have even begun incorporating carrots, cucumbers, and dried or canned tomatoes into their stews to stretch ingredients further.
Economic Pressures Drive the Shift
The rising cost of tomatoes is part of a broader inflationary trend affecting food and essential commodities in Nigeria. Inflation climbed to 33.95% in May 2024, driven by higher food and transport costs following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira. Food inflation specifically surged to 40.66%, reflecting the economic strain on households.
According to SBM Intelligence’s “SBM Jollof Index” report, these challenges stem from multiple factors, including naira devaluation, insecurity in farming regions, reduced arable land, and climate-related disruptions. Additional pressures, such as increased energy costs and foreign exchange restrictions, have further exacerbated the situation.
Supply Chain and Seasonal Challenges
The availability of fresh tomatoes in Nigeria is largely seasonal, with supply from the northern regions peaking between November and May. During the off-season, reliance shifts to smaller-scale farming in the southern regions and imports from neighboring countries like Cameroon. However, these substitutes often fail to meet demand, contributing to higher prices.
Insecurity in the North has also disrupted farming activities, with many farmers either displaced or forced to pay levies to bandits to access their farms. Additionally, pest infestations and diseases have significantly impacted crop yields.
Calls for Policy Interventions
Stakeholders in the agricultural and trading sectors have proposed various solutions to address the ongoing crisis. Increased local tomato farming in southern regions like Edo State could help stabilize supply and reduce reliance on the North. Traders have also called for government regulation to curb the influence of unions that impose additional fees, driving up prices.
Conclusion
The tomato price crisis has pushed Nigerian households to reimagine their meals, with many embracing new or long-forgotten recipes. While these changes showcase the resilience and creativity of Nigerian cooks, they also underscore the urgent need for systemic solutions to stabilize food prices and support local agriculture.
