Onanuga, however, added that apart from tomatoes and pepper, yam tubers are also gradually becoming affordable
By Kehinde Okeowo
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted to drop in prices of tomatoes and pepper in the market, saying food inflation is gradually coming down.
The presidential spokesperson was reacting to a report in the TheCable that the price of a basket of tomatoes has dropped.
According to the online medium, a trader at Ketu market in Lagos said a big basket of tomatoes is currently selling for about N55,000 to N60,000 — down from an average of N150,000 a few months ago.
He went on to add that a crate of tomatoes that previously cost N55,000 is now being sold for N30,000.
He further said a large basket of habanero pepper (rodo) is now selling for an average of N25,000, compared to N55,000 at the peak of the price surge.
Similarly, a trader identified as Muhammed in Dutse market, Abuja, said a basket of tomatoes now sells for N8,000, a reduction from the previous price of N13,000/N15,000.
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He added that consumers can now buy red bell pepper (tatashe) for N7,500 against the previous price of N12,000; stating that the price of habanero pepper has decreased to N9,000 from between N13,000 and N15,000.
Muhammed also said cayenne pepper is now for N8,000 — compared to the earlier price of N12,000 — in Dutse market
Both traders, however, attributed the price drop to the seasonal availability of the items.
Reacting to the report, Onanuga stated that the prices of yam, tomatoes and other foodstuffs are drastically reducing.
Speaking via his X handle, he tweeted: “Food inflation is coming down as prices of yam, tomatoes decline massively.”
