Price of pepper soars in Lagos

The price of fresh pepper has increased in various markets in Lagos State. A bag of pepper is now sold at N24,000 as against its former price of N14,000. Vice Chairman, Pepper Dealers Association in Mile 12 market, Alhaji Jabbi Yaro, told Daily Trust that lack of rain was the major cause of the increase. […]

The price of fresh pepper has increased in various markets in Lagos State.
A bag of pepper is now sold at N24,000 as against its former price of N14,000.
Vice Chairman, Pepper Dealers Association in Mile 12 market, Alhaji Jabbi Yaro, told Daily Trust that lack of rain was the major cause of the increase.
“Pepper price skyrocketed due to lack of rain in many parts of the northern region. As you know, new pepper is yet to come to the market; if it comes, the price will come down drastically. As I am talking to you, one bag of pepper is sold at N24, 000 against its former price two weeks ago at N13,000 per bag.
“Another reason is that pepper is being cultivated in the northern region only. It is not planted in the western region like tomatoes. It is mostly planted in Katsina and Benue states.
“The price will be cheaper if it is planted in the western region like tomatoes.
“Although pepper was not affected by any epidemic this year, it was disturbed by low rainfall. By this time, fresh pepper should have been introduced in the markets to stabilise its prices,’’ he said.
A pepper dealer at Igando market, Muhammadu Abubakar, however, said that very soon, the price of pepper would come down.
“The price of pepper will come down very soon. Fresh and new pepper will soon be available in various markets in Lagos. I want to use this opportunity to call on our customers to be patient as we are doing our best to address the price increase,’’ he pleaded.