The cost of agricultural produce has seen dramatic price increases in March, with pepper experiencing a staggering 225% price surge and tomatoes rising by 114%, according to recent market findings.

Daily Trust investigations revealed significant price changes across major markets in Lagos and Ogun states.

Abdulahi Yerima Shehu, a pepper seller in Ogba market, detailed the price transformations: a big bag of pepper has rocketed from N80,000 to N260,000, while a small bag increased from N20,000-N23,000 to N110,000. Tomatoes saw a similar trend, with prices climbing from N18,000-N21,000 to N45,000.

Another vendor, Bala Yaro from Abeokuta, reported slightly different but equally substantial increases. He noted pepper bag prices rising from N100,000 to N165,000, and tomato prices increasing from N35,000 to N45,000.

Consumers are feeling the pinch of these price hikes. Moyosore Salami lamented the expensive peppers, noting that even with the increased prices, the produce quality remains inconsistent, with baskets containing both ripe and unripe items.

Food security expert AfricanFarmer Mogaji explained the price surge, citing multiple contributing factors:

- Reduced cultivation areas for pepper compared to other crops

- Diminished farmer interest during the dry season

- Limited land availability

- Challenging climate conditions

- Increased logistics costs

Mogaji highlighted that farmers are more inclined to focus on crops like rice and wheat due to available support, while pepper and tomato cultivation has become less attractive.

The expert urged Southwest governors to support farmers in pepper and tomato cultivation, pointing to successful models in northern states.

Despite the challenging market conditions, some sellers remain optimistic. Abdulahi Yerima Shehu expressed hope that prices might stabilize in the coming weeks, stating, "The market is moving well, even though it is expensive, my customers are trying."

The dramatic price increases underscore the ongoing challenges in agricultural production and food security in Nigeria, calling for strategic interventions to support farmers and stabilize food prices.